Goalkeeper Anisur Rahman Zico appeared as the tiebreaker-hero once again as Bashundhara Kings reached the final of the Walton Independence Cup beating Federation Cup beating Abahani Limited 7-6 in the penalty shootout at Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka Thursday.
After the stipulated time ended 1-1, Zico, who made three saves in the tiebreaker in the last match, denied substitute Imtiaz Sultan Jitu’s penalty in sudden death before converting his side’s last penalty to set up a final clash with Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra, scheduled to be held Wednesday at the same venue.
Following a barren opening half, Matin Mia gave Bashundhara the lead in the 70th minute, placing home at the near post after Mahbubur Rahman Sufil forwarded Daniel Colindres’ back-pass towards the edge of the six-yard box.
Azizov brace gives Sheikh Russel final berth https://t.co/L4ox4JxvaK
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) December 19, 2018
Haitian international forward Kervens Belfort equalised in the 82nd minute, drifting past Nasir and Jony while beating the offside trap inside the box to meet Afghan defender Masih Saighani’s long cross before heading home into an empty net.
After Belfort hit the sidebar, Abahani’s national custodian Shahidul Alam Sohel produced a spectacular diving save to deny Bashundhara’s fifth penalty taken by Colindres in the shootout.
Baktiyar, Marcos, Hemanta, Nasir, Kanchan and Jony converted their chances for Bashundhara while Saighani, Waly, Rubel, Sunday, Rayhan, Badshah converted for Abahani. Belfort missed Abahani’s chance by hitting the sidebar.
RESULT
Bashundhara 1 (Matin 69) 1 Abahani (Belfort 82)
Bashundhara won 7-6 on penalties
WEDNESDAY’S FINAL
Sk Russel v Bashundhara, 4:30pm
The game will be held at BNS, Dhaka
