Defending champions Chittagong Abahani remained the lone team among three local outfits to qualify for the semifinals of the Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup after a come-from-behind 2-2 draw against Manang Marshyangdi Club while Mohammedan had to quit the race despite posting a 2-1 win over Shaheen Asmayee FC at MA Aziz Stadium yesterday.

Mohammedan and Manang Marshyangdi finished with four points each, but the Nepalese outfit qualified thanks to their win over Mohammedan in an earlier group match.

Chittagong Abahani emerged group champions to set their semifinal clash against Pocheon Citizen FC of Korea while Group A champions TC Sports Club of Maldives will play against Manang Marshyangdi in the last four. 

Mohammedan took the match with a target of winning with a 3-0 margin, thinking that goal difference will come first in consideration to decide the runners-up position, but the bylaws clearly stated otherwise.  

Mohammedan put on a much-improved performance and took a deserved lead in the 33 rd minute with Gambian Dawda Ceesay firing from inside the box after availing a cut-back from Towhidul Alam Sabuj.

Dawda doubled the lead with another eye-catching left-footed shot from outside of the box in the 69th minute before Shaheen Asmayee captain Amiruddin Sharifi reduced the margin by converting a penalty kick three minutes from time.

Earlier, Chittagong Abahani fought to hold Manang Marshyangdi to a 2-2 draw. The Nepalese outfit launched their first attack through the left-flank when Sujal Shrestha whipped in a cross to the far post for Anil Gurung, who headed it to unmarked marksman Olawale Oladipo and the Nigerian striker just headed home from point-blank range in the third minute of the match.

The hosts looked nervous after conceding an early goal as the backline was exposed time and again with Oladipo coming close to doubling the lead in the 3rd minute but his drive inside the box went inches over the crossbar. Oladipo however made no mistake to double the lead in the 22nd minute when he nicely controlled a long ball inside the box to shrug off Nasiruddin Chowdhury and place the ball at the far post.

However, defender Nasir raised hopes with a strike back in the 32nd minute by heading in chip from Jamal Bhuiyan.

After resumption, Abahani looked better in movement and the decision of sending Sohel Rana in place of striker Kingsley Chigozie brought cohesion among the midfielders and they started to put pressure on the opponents.

Sohel darted in from the left flank to provide a nice ball for Augustine Walson, whose drive was handled by Adama Boh Sissoko inside the box as the referee awarded Chittagong Abahani with a penalty in the 62nd minute. Walson converted calmly and brought life to some five-thousand holiday crowd.

Chittagong Abahani then found a great opportunity to take the lead but defender Mufta Lawal rattled the crosspiece in the 68th minute before Manang Marshyangdi came close to restoring the lead in the stoppage time of the second half but Anil Gurung was denied by the woodwork as Abahani marched into the semifinals.