Chittagong Abahani Limited became the first team to confirm Federation Cup semi-final after their late 2-0 win over Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra in the first quarter-final at Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka Friday.
Rakib Hossain and Mannaf Rabby scored in the 107th and 113th minute respectively in the second half of extra time after the stipulated 90 minutes ended in a stalemate.
It was a cagey affair between the two sides, with Maruful Haque prevailing over Saiful Bari Titu in the close battle of two of the finest tacticians of Bangladesh.
2012 edition champion Sheikh Russel, who failed to advance to the last eight of the previous edition, could’ve broken the deadlock in the 63rd minute but Giancarlo Lopez’s weak penalty was saved by goalkeeper Mohammad Naim after Uzbekistan defender Pulatov Shukur Ali brought down Nigerian Obi Moneke.
Chittagong Abahani were missing two key players in Brazilian forward Nixon Guilherme and Chinedu Mathew due to injury and Covid-19 positive test respectively, but Rakib and Mannaf ensured their absence would not be felt.
Local striker Arifur Rahman scored an instant goal as a substitute to help his side Saif Sporting beat Arambagh Krira...
Posted by Sports Tribune on Thursday, 31 December 2020
Rakib first put the 2017 edition runners-up ahead by volleying home with his left foot, goalkeeper Ashraful Islam Rana unable to stop the former’s rasping shot.
Mannaf then doubled the lead from a pass from Nigerian Charles Didier to continue Chittagong Abahani’s celebrations in the dugout.
Sheikh Russel’s fortunes worsened in the dying stages of the game as substitute forward Toklis Ahmed was sent off for throwing his first at Mannaf’s face, thus ruling the former out of the first couple of matches in the upcoming Bangladesh Premier League.
Saif Sporting Club will lock horns with Mohammedan Sporting Club Limited Saturday in the second quarter-final at 4pm at the same venue.
