Reigning champion Abahani Limited set up a quarter-final tie with Arambagh Krira Sangha after conceding a narrow 1-0 defeat against Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra in their second and last group stage match of the Walton Federation Cup at Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka Monday.
Former champion Sheikh Russel finished as Group C champion with two consecutive wins and are scheduled to play Chittagong Abahani in the third quarter-final Saturday.
Abahani and Group A winner Arambagh will face each other in the first quarter-final Thursday.
Abahani’s new Haitian signing Kervens Belfort and Nigerian striker Sunday Chizoba started up front, along with Rubel Mia, but there was a lack of creativity in midfield in the absence of the injured Atiqur Rahman Fahad and Jewel Rana.
Saad Uddin also remained sidelined due to injury.
Sheikh Russel went close to scoring in the third minute when Brazilian forward Alex Rafael Antonio’s close-range effort flew over the bar.
At the quarter-hour mark, Abahani’s first chance saw Sohel Rana head over from a Rubel cross.
Uzbek forward Azizov Alisher put Sheikh Russel ahead at the half-hour mark with a clever header from a cross by midfielder Mezbah Uddin that bounced into the far post giving Abahani goalkeeper Shahidul Alam Sohel no chance.
The Sky Blues had another chance in the 45th minute when Rubel delivered a quick cross onto the path of substitute striker Nabib Newaj Jibon, who failed to connect the ball from the six-yard box.
Ten minutes earlier, Jibon replaced Mamunul Islam, who suffered a hamstring injury.
Abahani piled more pressure for the equaliser after the break but all went in vain due to misfiring efforts.
Jibon fired wide off the post from the middle of the box in the 55th minute while Sunday’s header in the 80th minute flew over the bar.
Arambagh Krira Sangha scripted a remarkable comeback from a two-goal deficit to snatch a 2-2 draw in stipulated time against Chittagong Abahani Limited before winning the penalty shootout 4-2 to emerge as Group A winner in the Federation Cup in Dhaka.https://t.co/sONKJ84xLC#BFF
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) November 4, 2018
Three minutes before the end of stipulated time, Belfort tried his luck with a right-footed volley from 20 yards that missed the woodwork by a whisker.
RESULT
Sheikh Russel 1 (Azizov 30) 0 Abahani
