Abahani Limited reached the final of the Federation Cup by beating Saif Sporting Club 4-3 in a pulsating tie-break in their semi-final Thursday at Birsreshtha Sipahi Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur.
Abahani goalkeeper Shahidul Alam Sohel emerged as the hero as he stopped the penalty shot of Saif skipper Jamal Bhuiyan after the game ended 3-3 at the 120th minute.
The match was perhaps the most dramatic one in the season so far as goals came in crucial junctures, and other heightened moments like penalty and misses occurred to keep the spectators and players excited.
Saif took the match to tie-break thanks to a Sazzad Hossain goal in the 120th minute, and got a similar feeling to that Abahani when the Dhanmondi-based club equalized 2-2 courtesy a goal from their Costa Rican recruit Daniel Colindres in the extra time after 90 minutes.
Abahani’s Brazilian striker Raphael Augusto opened the goalscoring in the 10th minute of the game from a penalty.
Saif came back in the game nine minutes later through Nigerian Mfon Udoh.
Udoh’s compatriot Emeka Ogbugh took the lead in the 74th minute after the referee whistled for the second penalty of the match.
The next penalty, which again was given in favor of Saif, created dramatic scenes in the ground as Abahani players charged the referee and after some hustle and bustle when the kick was taken more drama occurred.
Ogbugh’s first shot was dismissed for taking the penalty inappropriately and as he did same while taking the shot not only the goal was disallowed, he also saw a red card.
After Colindres' goal in injury time Abahani took the lead in the 94th minute by local player Rakib but Sazzad cancelled it out in 120th minute.
In tie-breaker Abahani’s Milad, Reza, Royel and Foysal all scored while their keeper Sohel saved Udoh’s shot before fisting away Jamal’s effort to spark joy among the ecstatic fans.
Earlier in the day Rahamatganj Muslim Friends Society stunned Mohammedan Sporting Club Limited to reach the final.
Mohammedan dominated from the beginning to get a goal in the fifth minute from Alamgir Molla before their wasteful strikers missed chances to stretch the lead.
However, Rahmatganj returned strongly after the break and Mohammedan was pushed to the back foot after their Macedonian defender Yasmin Minovski was sent off in the 67th minute for his second yellow card offence.
Rahmatganj brought parity in the 78th minute through Ghanaian marksman Philip Aza and Nigerian striker Sunday Chizoba sealed the match with a neat finish in extra time.
Rahamatganj will face Abahani in the final Sunday at the same venue.
