Abahani Limited failed to qualify for the AFC Cup 2022 as they lost to Indian giant ATK Mohun Bagan 3-1 in their qualifying game at Salt Lake Stadium of Kolkata Tuesday.
Mohun Bagan’s Australian recruit David Williams was the star of the show as he scored a hat-trick and, despite missing some easy chances, the hosts clinched a comprehensive victory in the end.
Mohun Bagan, who dominated the match from the beginning, got a comfortable 2-0 lead in the first half, and although Abahani raised some hope in the second half through a Daniel Colindres goal, another late goal from Williams sealed the fate.
Mohun Bagan started the match on the frontfoot in front of over 30,000 fans and took just six minutes to take the lead.
Liston Colaco gave a pass to Joni Kauko on the left wing and the latter produced an inch perfect drive to Williams in the Abahani box.
The 34-year old Australian dinked his marker and made no mistake slotting the ball home.
Colindres, the most impressive player for the visitors, had a chance in the 13th minute but failed to keep the ball on target while Prabir Das of Mohun Bagan had a great opportunity to double the lead in the 21st minute when he put a shot wide over the bar.
Prabir however, made amends eight minutes later when he set up an easy tap in for Williams, who beat Abahani custodian Shahidul Alam with ease.
Mohun Bagan missed at least three more chances before the hour mark and the locals must have felt they had to rue those as Colindres scored the most stunning goal of the night.
Rakib Hossain fed the Costa Rican a through ball and he struck from outside the box to stun the whole stadium.
However, after missing another couple of chances Mohun Bagan finally got their third in the 81st minute.
Abahani, who chose a high-line in defence, saw the ball beat their offside trap and Shahidul’s attempt to thwart Williams outside the box also failed.
Williams completed his hat-trick in front of an open net and eliminated six-time Bangladesh Premier League champions from the Asian second tier competition.
