Coming from behind, a 10-man Dhaka Abahani Limited smartly reached the final of the Bashundhara Group Federation Cup Football Tournament, beating holders Bashundhara Kings 4-2 in a penalty shootout at the Shaheed Dhirendranath Datta Stadium in Cumilla on Tuesday.
The nerve-wracking Qualifier-1 match between 12-time champions Dhaka Abahani Ltd and three-time champions Bashundhara Kings ended in a 1-1 draw after the stipulated 90 minutes and 30-minute extra time.
This was Dhaka Abahani’s second win against Bashundhara Kings in the ongoing season after previously defeating them in the Premier League.
Dhaka Abahani will play the final on April 22 against the winners of Bashundhara Kings and Rahmatganj MFS at the Rafiquddun Bhuiyan Stadium in Mymensingh.
Despite the day’s defeat, Bashundhara Kings have another chance to reach the final if they can beat Rahmatganj MFS in Qualifier-2 on April 15 at their home ground, Bashundhara Kings Arena.
After a goalless first half in the day’s Qualifier-1, Mojibor Rahman Jonny put the injury-hit, star-studded Bashundhara Kings ahead in the 57th minute (1-0).
Arman Faysal Akash leveled the score for the popular sky-blue Dhanmondi outfit Abahani in the 85th minute (1-1), sending the match into extra time and, eventually, a penalty shootout.
In the penalty shootout, Rafayel, Emeka, Sabuj, and Ibrahim of Abahani converted their spot kicks, while Jonathon and Morsalin scored for the Kings.
Earlier, Dhaka Abahani were reduced to 10 men in the 42nd minute of the match when their defender Asaduzzaman Bablu was sent off after receiving his second yellow card.
In the day’s eliminator match, Rahmatganj MFS came from behind to eliminate Brothers Union Club, defeating them 2-1 at the Rafiquddin Bhuiyan Stadium in Mymensingh.
Nigerian forward Mfon Sunday Udoh put Brothers Union ahead in the 36th minute (1-0), while Ghanaian forward Samuel Boateng restored parity for Rahmatganj MFS in the 63rd minute (1-1).
Gambian midfielder Solomon King Kanform scored the match-winning goal for Rahmatganj MFS in the extra session (100th minute) to keep their final hopes alive.