Abahani feel the blues

Defending champions Abahani tasted their first defeat of the season as the Sky Blues suffered a 1-0 loss to Sheikh Russel KC in a Walton Federation Cup encounter at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

Sheikh Russel dominated from the get-go but had to wait till Uzbek forward Azizov Alisher headed home a Mezbah Uddin cross from the left flank in the 30th minute to gain the lead.

After resumption, Sheikh Russel faced huge pressure from Abahani but to no avail as substitute Nabib Newaj Jibon and Haitian forward Fils Belfort squandered their opportunities to equalise the margin.

The defeat ensured that Abahani finished behind Group C champions Sheikh Russel KC and hence, they will now face Group A champions Arambagh KS in the quarterfinals where Sheikh Russel will take on Group B runners-up Chittagong Abahani.

In the day's first match, Saif SC sent Brothers Union packing by inflicting a massive 5-0 defeat with right-back Rahmat Miah, Javed Khan, substitute Sajjad Hossain scoring one goal apiece while Russain striker Denis Bolshakov struck a brace.

Meanwhile, Team BJM moved into the quarterfinals with three points to set up their fixture with the yet to be decided Group D champions.