Abahani Limited breezed to the semi-final in the Walton Federation Cup with a comfortable 2-0 win over Soccer Club Feni at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday. The Sky Blues will now face top favourites Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club in a bid to book a final ticket on December 4.
Atiqur Rahman Meshu scored the opener in the 53rd minute with a superb free-kick from 20 yards out before Osei Morrison doubled the margin in the injury time to seal the deserved victory.
Since joining Abahani it was Morrison’s fifth goal in the Federation Cup and the Ghanaian striker, top scorer in the Bangladesh Premier League last season, now shares the most goal scorer’s chart with Sheikh Jamal’s Haitian international Sony Norde.
Abahani, the four-time professional league champions, made two changes from their starting eleven that beat Mohammedan in the group stage. Saikat Bhowmik replaced Waly Faisal who lost his newborn boy on Thursday. A one-minute silence was observed before the game for Waly’s son.
Although the Sky-Blues could not produce the same attacking display they did against Mohammedan, they managed to keep their defence rock solid. They also failed to create chances from their wings with Brazilian forward De Castro and winger Towhidul, who was behind both goals Abahani scored against Mohammedan, in shadow for most of the game.
However, Feni could have taken the lead in the 31st minute, but Sohel made a brilliant save to deny Alauddin’s powerful strike from just outside the box. Earlier, Morrison’s header on 8th minute, which went straight to keeper, was the only notable chance Abahani created in the first-half.
A more positive approach after the breather produced the breakthrough as Meshu curled a free-kick over the Feni wall to beat goal-keeper Nehal in the left-hand post. Abdul Baten nearly sealed the game for Abahani in the 72nd minute when he chipped over Nehal, but a brilliant goal-line clearance from Alauddin kept Feni in the game. Just four minutes later, Wassiou Oladikpikpo’s header slammed against the woodwork keeping the game still open.
Feni went all out in search of the equaliser and as often it does, the plan backfired. Morrison received a pass from Komol and broke into the penalty area to send the ball past onrushing Nehal.
Muktijoddha will take on Brothers Union in the third quarterfinal of the tournament today at 5pm.
Match Highlights
Soccer Club Feni 0-2 Abahani Limited
8” Osei Morrison heads on Towhidul’s cross only to find the goal-keeper Nehal
31” Abahani goal-keeper Sohel showed great strength in diving to his left to turn a stinging Alauddin strike away
GOAL! 53” A 20-yard free-kick from Meshu landed inside the near post
72” Komol’s chip over Nehal cleared off the line by defender Alauddin
86” Wassiou Oladikpikpo’s header hits the woodwork
GOAL! 90+” Morrison entered the penalty area and sent the ball under onrushing goal-keeper Nehal for a classy finish