Bangladesh Premier Football League champion Abahani enjoyed better ball possession throughout the game, especially in the second half, but lack of creativity in the attacking half and solid defending by the visiting side meant the home team failed to break the deadlock.
After conceding an early goal, the Sky Blues fought hard but their attackers were anything but prolific while the absence of key players like Andrew Lee Tuck and Sunday Chizoba was also felt badly.
Abahani's Serbia-born Croatian coach Drago Mamic was satisfied with the performance but said his defenders could have done better with the goals.
With five minutes into the clock, Abahani conceded an early goal which could have been prevented if goalkeeper Shahidul Alam Sohel and the defenders were a bit more cautious. Receiving a pass from Abdulla Asadullah, Imaaz Ahmed delivered a brilliant through pass for Umair, who collected the ball nicely inside the right side of the box before slotting home calmly into the far post.
Mamic planned his formation with five defenders, including three center-backs. Mamun Miah was supposed to lead the defence line but he was more busy playing on the right wing rather than shepherding the defence. He was later replaced by striker Nabib Newaj Jibon at the break.
Jibon's inclusion didn't have much impact but it did give more ball possession to the home side against the organised touring side, who always had half of the players in their own territory, thus providing little space to the opponent. It was especially tough for the Abahani forwards to meet crosses against the tall Maziya defenders.
Maziya doubled the lead three minutes before the end of stipulated time. Asadullah snatched the ball from Rayhan Hasan's feet and broke into the penalty area before his left-footer hit the back of the net. Rayhan and Yeasin Khan could have done better to stop Ali Ashadh's pass to Asadullah.
Maziya head coach Marjan Sekulovski gave credit to his charges, saying their mission in the AFC Cup is going in the right direction. He was also full of praise for his defence.
Mamic, on the other hand, felt his defence cost them the game.
Thursday, June 04, 2026
