Abahani the pick of their group
Bangladesh Premier League champions Abahani emerged as Group C champions after a one-goal win over Sheikh Russel in their Walton Independence Cup encounter at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
Khalekurzaman inadvertently headed into his own net, handing Abahani the winning goal. The Sky Blues will now play their quarterfinal against the yet-to-be-decided runners-up from Group D.
Both teams had come into the match with their quarterfinal berths secure and looked a bit reserved on the pitch, although Sheikh Russel played comparatively better than Abahani, who have their eyes on a treble after winning the professional football league and the season's curtain-raising Federation Cup.
Despite the absence of four regulars, Sheikh Russel had more possession in the first half and twice came close to taking the lead. However, the wasteful forwards disappointed Sheikh Russel, the only team to have clinched a treble -- in the 2012-13 season -- since the introduction of the professional football league in 2007.
Having snatched the ball away from defender Nasir Chowdhury inside the box, Kawsar Ali Rabbi squared to Alamgir Kabir Rana from the near post, but the winger unbelievably failed to tap into a gaping net in the 11th minute. 18 minutes later, Mohammad Javed saw his volley blaze inches over the bar.
Abahani, who had a comfortable 2-0 win over Team BJMC in their tournament opener, struggled against a depleted Sheikh Russel and could only create half-a-chance in the first half when defender Raihan Hasan flung a long throw onto Nasir's head. However, his attempt went straight into the grip of Sheikh Russel goalkeeper Biplob Bhattacharjee.
Abahani made two changes at the break as they looked to gain a foothold in the match and the move almost paid off as substitute Faisal Ahmed Shital penetrated the Sheikh Russel backline. The lanky forward raced into the box in the 62nd minute before cutting back to Saad Uddin, who failed to control the ball with only the goalkeeper to beat as the chance went begging.
However, it was Shital who would have been most pleased as his cross from the left flank was headed home by Khalekurzaman following a misunderstanding with goalkeeper Biplob. Biplob rushed out to claim the cross, leaving Khalekurzaman's cushioned header back to roll into an empty net.
Shital came close to doubling the lead when Nasir Chowdhury squared to him but he drove straight to Biplob in the 72nd minute and neither side could create any further chances for the remainder of the match.