Abahani in AFC Cup’s Magic Moments
While six-time Bangladesh Premier League champions Abahani have made an early exit from the AFC Cup this time after being knocked out of the prequalifying phase, the Sky Blues had reached a new high for Bangladesh football by reaching the inter-zone playoff semifinals last year. In doing so they became the first club from Bangladesh to reach that further in the second-tier club competition of Asia.
Abahani's journey was a see-saw affair as they eked out into the knockout rounds following a stoppage-time goal in their last group match against Minerva Punjab in Guwahati. That goal, and Abahani's journey thus far, made it to AFC Cup's Magic Moments, featured on their official website on Friday. Here's how AFC relived that journey:
Abahani's stoppage-time joy
Bangladeshi teams featured in the first three AFC Cups and then again between 2015 to 2018, but had never made it out of the group stage in seven attempts.
Abahani picked up four points in both 2017 and 2018, with India's Bengaluru FC dominating the South Zone, and little was expected of the Bangladesh champions ahead of the 2019 campaign.
However, with Bengaluru failing to qualify, Abahani began the group stage – alongside Indian duo Chennaiyin FC and Minerva Punjab, as well as Nepal's Mahang Marshyangdi Club – as the only side with Continental experience.
Four points from their first three games left them off the pace but a come-from-behind 3-2 Matchday Four win over Chennaiyin brought them right back in it, before the Dhaka side eased past Manang 5-0 to set up a gripping climax.
It all came down to the last game against Minerva in Guwahati, with Abahani needing to equal Chennaiyin's result to advance. But with Chennaiyin 3-2 up against Manang and Abahani scoreless as the clock ticked into stoppage time, the dream appeared to be over.
Step forward Afghan international Masih Saighani.
A deep corner from Nabib Jibon was headed back across goal by Kervens Belfort and Saighani headed in from close range to spark joyous scenes as Abahani booked their ticket to the Inter-Zone semifinals.
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