Abahani Limited kicked off their Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup campaign with a thrilling 3-2 win over Pakistan Premier League champions Karachi Electric in front of around 10,000 passionate spectators at MA Aziz Stadium yesterday.
The traditional Sky Blues went 2-0 ahead in the opening half after brilliant goals from Waly Faisal and Sunday Chizoba.
Even though the visitors pulled one back in the second half, an own-goal restored Abahani's two-goal lead.
Nigerian striker Abayomi Sunday scored from the spot in the dying stages but it was too little, too late.
Four-time professional league champions Abahani appeared comfortable as they controlled proceedings right from the onset. Emon Babu pulled the strings in midfield while the attacking line comprised of Sunday Chizoba and Chester Akon.
Abahani could have easily taken the lead in the 20th minute but Karachi goalkeeper Nobi made a diving save to deny Akon's effort from inside the box.
Four minutes later, Waly put the Sky Blues ahead from an eye-catching free-kick after defender Noor Mohammad brought down Sunday just outside the box. The veteran national defender's powerful left-footer from 25 yards out sailed past the diving Karachi custodian and into the top-left corner.
Sunday doubled the lead at the half-hour mark, heading home a clever Babu cross from the right flank. Karachi net-minder Nobi did touch the ball but was unable to prevent it entering the net.
Abahani continued to pile more pressure on their opponents in the second half as Sunday saw one of his headers from the centre of the box just miss the target in the 54th minute.
Karachi forward Mohammad Rosul reduced the arrears in the 75th minute when his left-footed volley from outside the left corner of the box curled into the top-right corner.
The visitors' delight however, lasted only two minutes.
Waly was also involved in Abahani's third goal as the loanee full-back from Sheikh Russel took a fine free-kick which Karachi defender Omor Faruq sent into his won net while trying in vain to clear it.
Karachi earned a penalty in the 90th minute of the tie and it was duly converted by a calm Aboyami.
Abahani will contest their second match against Chittagong Abahani tomorrow and a victory will be enough to send the former to the semi-finals in the eight-club tournament's inaugural edition.
Meanwhile in the day's other match, hosts Chittagong Abahani lost to Kolkata's Kingfisher East Bengal 2-1 at the same venue.
East Bengal midfielder Mohammed Rafique put the visitors ahead in the 32nd minute of the game after a blunder from Chittagong keeper Rasel Mahmud Liton. Prohlad Roy doubled the lead in the 72nd minute.
The port-city outfit managed to pull one back six minutes later when national midfielder Hemanta Vincent Biswas scored from the right flank.
The home side had at least chances to score more than just once especially in the 23rd and 57th minutes. They went all out for the equaliser in the last quarter hour of the game but all their efforts went in vein.
