Abahani Limited strolled to their third win in a row to become group winners while Mohammedan Sporting Club Ltd and Rahmatganj MFS also made it to the knockouts narrowly on the final day of group fixtures at the Independence Cup.
Brazilian Jonathan Fernandes found the back of the net again while his compatriot Washington Brandao scored on debut as Abahani beat Sheikh Russel KC 2-0 in Gopalganj Saturday and sent the former treble winners out of the competition.
The result helped old Dhaka outfit Rahmatganj qualify from Group B through goal difference after both the sides had one win and a draw each.
The Sky Blues, guided by recently appointed veteran Argentine tactician Diego Andres Cruciani, secured the spot earlier with consecutive wins.
They will face Lt. Sheikh Jamal DC Ltd in the second quarter-final while Rahmatganj play Police FC in the first on December 3.
In Group C, all three teams ended up with two points each after Mohammedan and Fortis FC played out a 1-1 draw in Munshiganj at the same time Saturday.
The goal difference of the three teams was also same (0) as Mohammedan, the traditional Black and Whites, were adjudged group champions in terms of scoring most goals (three).
Bangladesh Army’s two goals placed them at second but Fortis could not survive with only a goal despite no defeat against their name.
Fortis were on course for the opposite direction for around half an hour until Mohammedan’s Abedin Rakib cancelled out the lead given by Ukrainian midfielder Valeri Hryshy in the 30th minute.
With only the last match of the group phase remaining, the Independence Cup has been paused for almost a month due to World Cup qualifiers and AFC Cup fixtures.
The season-opening competition is scheduled to resume on December 1 with the final Group D tie between holders Bashundhara Kings and struggling Chittagong Abahani Ltd.
RESULTS
Abahani 2 (Jonathan 65, Washington 75) Sheikh Russell 0
Fortis 1 (Valeri 30) Mohammedan 1 (Rakib 74)
