Abahani knocked out by Kings again
Traditional giants Abahani once again fell to new powerhouse Bashundhara Kings as the 11-time Federation Cup champions surrendered a lead to suffer a 1-3 defeat to the defending champions in a high-intensity second semifinal of the Walton Federation Cup at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
The triumph over Abahani meant Bashundhara Kings made it to the Federation Cup final for a third successive time and will square off with Saif Sporting Club in the decider on Sunday. Abahani, on the other hand, have been eliminated at the knockout stages in three successive tournaments -- two Fed Cups and one Independence Cup.
Bashundhara Kings have now twice ousted the Sky Blues, who were previously eliminated from the knockout stages of the Federation Cup thrice by the then new powerhouse Sheikh Jamal DC.
The football was high-voltage throughout the match, but intensity turned to chaos in the penultimate minute of the second half of extra time when Abahani appeared to have levelled the margin 2-2.
Nabib Newaj Jibon put one in the back of the Kings' net in the 119th minute but assistant referee Iqbal Alam raised his off-side flag, prompting vociferous protest from the Abahani players. A TV replay also showed that Jibon was off-side when Francisco Rodrigues fed him the ball with just goalkeeper Anisur Rahman to beat.
From the start Abahani were on the back foot in the face of huge pressure from Kings, who twice came close to taking the lead. Abahani were lucky to not concede an early lead with Brazilian forward Robson Da Silver rattling the Abahani crossbar in the 12th minute.
Goalkeeper Shahidul Alam Sohel then denied Argentine forward Raul Oscar Becerra with his outstretched hands before Abahani took the lead against the run of play with Brazilian forward Rodrigues finding the net with an angular shot inside the box in the 30th minute.
After taking the lead, Abahani grew in confidence and played comparatively better, coming close to doubling the lead in the 41st minute but Franciso was denied by Kings' keeper Anisur Rahman Zico.
After resumption, Kings brought two changes to reestablish control over the midfield and levelled the margin six minutes into the second half with a powerful Jonathon Fernandes drive that crossed the goalline after hitting the inside of the crossbar.
Afterwards both sides tried to break down the opposition with attacks and counter attacks but none could find the goal and the match rolled into extra time. Kings took a lead five minutes into the second-half of extra time with a strike from Becerra after substitute Matin Mia fed the ball nicely over advancing goalkeeper Shahidul Alam Sohel. In the stoppage-time of second-half extra time, following the chaos regarding the cancellation of goal, Bashundhara wrapped up victory over a tired Abahani with a smart interplay between two Brazilians and Fernandes, having been set up by Robson, driving home inside the box to the delight of Kings' fans.
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