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Abahani moves to final with Mohammedan |
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August 27, 2000
Dhaka (UNB) – Holders Abahani Limited reached the final of the 16th Federation Cup Football tourney eliminating runners-up Muktijoddha Sangsad KC by 2-1 goals in the second semifinal at the Bangabandhu National Stadium here yesterday (Saturday). It was the 13th final berth for the popular sky-blue Dhanmondi outfit in the season’s curtain raiser soccer meet since it’s inception in 1980. Abahani Limited, which clinched the Federation Cup crown for seven times including a joint-title with Mohammedan SC in 1982, will play the final on Monday at 5 pm with their arch-rivals Mohammedan SC. Post, Telecommunication and Home Minister Mohammad Nasim is expected to be the chief guest in the final.
In yesterday’s second semifinal, two national striker Rokonuzzaman Kanchan and Mizanur Rahman Dawn scored for Abahani while Farhad netted the lone goal for the freedom fighters’ team, all in the first half. Kanchan, who joined Abahani from Farashganj this season, opened the Abahani account in the very 4th minute by an accurate volley shot from a goalmouth melee when a left wing corner kick of Partha came his way slipped from national custodian Aminul(1-0). But Abahani’s joy were very short lived as Farhad of Muktijoddha equalised the margin just two minutes later by a good header from danger zone (1-1). He got the ball from Rajani header off a Hasan Al Mamun corner. Dawn, who switched over to Abahani from Mohammedan this year, scored the match-winning goal in the 32nd minute placing the ball home from close distance off a readymade cross of Ghana booter Kennedy from right wing (2-1). Prior to the match, one-minute silence was observed for the departed soul of Mobashwera Khatun, mother of BFF General Secretary Harun-ur-Rashid MP, who expired yesterday (Saturday). Abahani, who fielded two fresh Ghana booters -- stopper Ghansha and forward Kennedy -- in the day’s match, played an entertaining football in the first half to rope its fruit.
But in the second half, Muktijoddha displayed an spirited football to book Abahani in their territory for most of the proceedings in front of about 15,000 crowd, mostly Abahani supporters. But the Muktis failed to make the equaliser due to shakiness of their forwards as well as for the confident goalkeeping by Abahani custodian Biplob. Ghansha and Kennedy, who also played for Abahani in the last season, performed their job brilliantly yesterday while Muktijoddha’s Indian recruit striker IM Bijoyan failed to impress the fans due to lack of support from his teammates. Dawn, Zakir, and Kanchan of Abahani, and Asif, Farhad and Rajani of Muktijoodha managed some good scoring chances but failed due to their shakiness and also for the brilliant role of opponent defenders and custodian. In the 24th minute, two repeated attempts of Dawn went in vain as his first shot returned to play hitting the side bar while the second went wide. Dawn managed another easy chance in the 68th minute but his close-range header straight went to Aminul’s grip, off a beautiful lob from Kennedy. In the 44th minute, Zakir deprived Abahani from a goal as he failed to beat Mukti custodian Aminul in one-to-one situation, off a nice pass from Kennedy, the playmaker of the day. Kanchan spoiled the easiest opportunity eight minutes before the final whistle also off a Kennedy pass surprisingly sending the ball outside from a handshake distance, despite standing on a vantage position. Asif of Muktijoddha also spoiled two good chances. He failed to make header properly in the 5th minute while his another header went wide from close off Hasan Al Mamun corner in the 78th minute. In the 81st minute, Abahani escaped from a goal when defender Partha saved a Rajani attempt from goal line off Masud Rana. Yellow cards: Partha and Kanchan (Abahani), Joy and Mintu (Muktijoddha). Abahani Limited: Biplob, Tito, Nazrul, Ghansa (Dulal), Partha, Zakir, Iqbal, Sentu, Dawn (Pavel), Kanchan and Kennedy. Muktojoddha Sangsad: Aminul, Hasan Al Mamun, Prodip, Rajani, Masud Rana, Joy, Tushar, Asif, Mintu (S Raju), Farhad (Liton) and Vijoyan. Referee: Ram Krishna Ghosh. |