Holders Bashundhara Kings handed Abahani Limited a crushing 4-0 defeat at their home ground to reach the final of the Independence Cup and set up title deciding fixture with Mohammedan Sporting Club who beat Rahmatganj MFS 1-0 in Friday’s other semi-final.
The first two scorers - Md Sohel Rana and Dorielton Gomez – were former Abahani players as they struck shortly after one another early in the second half before Brazilian duo Miguel Figueira and Robson Robinho added one each to book consecutive finals for the Bangladesh Premier League champions.
It was an entertaining opening half at Kings Arena despite ending goalless where visiting Abahani had at least four goalscoring chances, only to be thwarted by a valiant display by goalkeeper Mehedi Hasan Srabon.
Srabon took full advantage of suspended first-choice goalie Anisur Rahman Zico’s absence as he produced two crucial saves on one-on-one, apart from a spectacular diving punch.
Abahani’s Brazilian forward Washington Dos Santos ran from almost halfway to sketch the first attack in the fourth minute but his shot rolled inches wide, forcing Srabon to a full-stretched dive.
Kings went close in the 10th minute when midfielder Robinho’s curved effort from 20 yards was tipped away by Pappu Hossain for a corner.
Srabon repelled Washington’s powerful shot soon after quarter hour before Sheikh Morsalin saw his on-target attempt on an empty net after dribbling past onrushing Pappu cleared away by skimming Jonathan Fernandes five minutes later.
Nigerian forward Emeka Ogbugh tested Srabon through a fierce attempt in the 25th minute but the young keeper was enjoying one of his finest days with a flying dive.
He made another top save against Jonathan a minute later.
Kings appeared a different force after the break as last season’s Abahani midfielder Sohel broke the deadlock within three minutes with a left-footed strike from top of the box following midfielder Miguel’s pass.
Dorielton, the former Abahani marksman, doubled the lead five minutes later as the Brazilian tapped home a cross from Rakib Hossain who showed quick skills to dribble past two defenders before feeding the ball into goalmouth.
Miguel extended the lead in the 77th minute with a close-range header on a precise cross from another former Abahani man Saad Uddin from the left flank.
Robinho put paid to any chances the Sky Blues had of a comeback after converting a controversial penalty in the 89th minute as Kings won the season’s first Bangla Clasico tie by a thumping margin.
Muzaffar lifts Mohammedan
Uzbekistan midfielder Muzaffarjon Muzaffarov’s second half strike helped a misfiring Mohammedan side edge past Old Dhaka outfit Rahmatganj in Gopalganj.
Malian striker Souleymane Diabate, who netted four goals against Abahani in the last Federation Cup final, was closely marked by Iskander who held the Old Dhaka defence in the first half.
The Black and Whites played well in midfield but could not create any opportunity before Rahmatganj’s Sammuel Konny’s shot from just outside the box was blocked for a corner on the quarter hour.
Rakib’s volley straight to the goalkeeper in the 20th minute was Mohammedan’s first notable attack while Diabate’s header on Arif’s cross flew wide before half time.
Muzaffarov, who earlier had a long effort saved by the keeper, found the net through the defensive wall from a free kick inches outside the box in the 72nd minute.
Diabate squandered a couple of good chances to extend the lead while Rahmatganj in the absence of head coach Kamal Babu barely showed any promising impact to stage a comeback.
The final of the season opening competition will be held in Gopalganj Monday.
RESULTS
Rahmatganj 0 Mohammedan 1 (Muzaffarov 72)
Kings 4 (Sohel 48, Dorielton 53, Miguel 77, Robson 89) Abahani 0
