Abahani lift Federation Cup title

Abahani Limited clinched title of the Federation Cup Football when they came from behind to beat newcomers Bashundhara Kings by 3-1 goals in the keenly contested final held on Friday at Bangabandhu National Stadium, BSS reported.

It was the eleventh occasion the traditional Dhanmondi based ‘outfit’ Abahani Limited won the title of the top- flight football of Federation Cup.

It was also their second hat-trick winning title of Federation Cup since their triumphs from 1997-2000. However, an even bigger motivation is that the day’s saw Abahani Limited surpassed their archrivals Mohammedan’s haul of 10 titles and gave them sole supremacy in the tournament.

In the day’s match, Bashundhara Kings went ahead early in the 22nd minute through their foreign striker Daniel Colindress who sent the ball home with a perfect shot as Alamgir Kabir Rana’s attempt fisted by Abahani custodian Shaidul Alam came to his way.

Abahani Limited however missed a chance to restore the parity in the 27th minute when foreign recruit Belfort’s well-judge header from the danger zone off a corner kick off Sunday Chizoba from right wink was foiled by Bashudhara Kings custodian Ziko.

Abahani got two more scoring chances in the first half. Nigerian striker Sunday after taking a cross from Belfort from goalmouth melee, failed to convert the goal in the 35th minute while Belfort missed again a real scoring chance despite finding the Abahani custodian alone under the bar in the 39th minute.

After the lemon break, Abahani staged to fight back in the match with an organized attack. Sunday restored the parity for Abahani Limited with a gentle push from close range after Raihan Hasan’s throw fall in front of the second bar.

Sunday took Abahani ahead scoring his second goal in the 79th minute with a perfect placing shot off a pass from Sohel Rana.

Belfort sealed the victory scoring the third goal for Abahani in the 82nd minute with a brilliant header utilizing a corner kick from Wali Faisal.