The season opening Federation Cup got underway at Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka Saturday as Chittagong Abahani Limited beat Rahmatganj Muslim Friends Society 3-1 in a Group A encounter.
Momodou Bah opened the scoring for the port city outfit in the 35th minute before Mohammad Rakibul Islam brought parity in the 57th minute. Ugochukwu Awala Magalan gave Chittagong Abahani the lead again in the 72nd minute before Mufta Lawal rounded off the scoring in the 76th minute.
Reigning champion Abahani Limited will take on Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad Krira Chakra in a Group C match Sunday at the same venue.
A total of 13 teams have been divided into four groups. Champions and runners-up sides from the four groups will advance to the quarter-finals, which will begin on November 6.
The tournament will then be halted for 11 days for the Fifa friendly window. During that period, the BFF is likely to stage a friendly or a tri-nation series. Following the 11-day hiatus, the semi-finals will get underway on November 21, while the final will be held on November 24.
