Independence Cup champions Dhaka Abahani Ltd and Rahmatganj MFS reached the final of the Bashundhara Group Federation Cup Football Tournament eliminating Saif SC and Dhaka Mohammedan in the semifinals at the Bir Shreshta Shaheed Shipahi Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur on Thursday.

Eleven-time champions Dhaka Abahani Limited eliminated last year’s finalists Saif Sporting Club by 4-3 goals in tie breaker as the 2nd semifinal match was locked in 2-2 goals in the regulation time and also ended in 3-3 goals in the extras time Thursday night.

The old Dhaka outfit Rahmatganj MFS, coming from behind booked a seat for the final for the 2nd occasions shocking 10 times champions Dhaka Mohammedan SC by 2-1 goals in the first semifinal Thursday afternoon.

The two teams will play final on Sunday (Jan 9) at the same venue.

In the day’s 2nd semis, Brazilian booter cum Abahani captain Raphael Augusto put Abahani ahead in the 10th minute from a penalty (1-0) while Nigerian booter Sunday Udoh restored the parity for Saif SC in the 20th minute (1-1)

Nigerian striker Emeka put Saif SC ahead from behind in the 75th minute from a penalty (2-1) while Russian World Cup playing Costa Rica booter Daniel Colindres equalized the margin in the stoppage time of the regulation period (90+3 minute) to lock the match 2-2 in the stipulated period.

Later, Daniel Colindres was adjudged the man of the match.

Saif SC Rwanda booter Emery spoiled a penalty in the last part of the stipulated time as he failed to score in two repeated attempts.

In the 4th minute of extras session, Rakib put Abahani ahead again while Sazzad again neutralized te margin in the dying moment of extras sesson (120+2 minute) to lock the match again and to roll the march towards tie breaker.

In the tie breaker, Abahani Ltd converted all the four spot kicks correctly to beat Saif SC 4-3. 

In the day’s first semifinal, the old Dhaka outfit Rahmatganj Muslim Friends Society qualified for the Federation Cup Football final for the 2nd times after 2019-20 football season. Then they  also eliminated Dhaka Mohammedan SC in the semifinal.

Traditional giants Mohammedan SC, which poised for the final after a long gap of 12 years, eliminating Chittagong Abahani by 2-1 goals in the quarterfinal, failed reach their long cherished target eliminating from last four stage on Thursday. 

In the day’s first semifinal, Defender Rajib Hossain put the traditional black and white Mohammedans ahead in the very 5th minute (1-0) and they maintained the lead till 77th minute of the match.

But, the Ghanian forward Philip Adjah Tettey, who scored twice against Sheikh Russel KC in the quarterfinal, scored the match equalizer for Rahmatganj in the 78th minute (1-1).

Later, Philip was adjudged man of the match. 

When the match was almost heading for extra session, then  Nigerian striker and an well-known face in the Dhaka league Sunday Chizoba, scored the match-winner for Rahmatganj MFS in the stoppage time of the match (90+1 minute) with the frustration of black and whites fans.

Mohammedan’s Mecedonian defender Jasmin Mecinnovikj got marching order in the match after receiving the 2nd yellow card in the match. 

Earlier in the quarter final, Rahmatganj MFS emerged as the surprised semifinalist upsetting formidable Sheikh Russel KC by 4-3 goals in the extras session as the 3rd quarterfinal match between them was locked in 3-3 goals in the stipulated period last Monday.