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Dhaka Abahani Limited made a good start in the 15-team season’s curtain raiser soccer meet, the Riviera Independence Cup Football’ 21 beating newcomers Swadhinata KS by 2-1 goals at Bir Shrestha Shahid Shipahi Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Stadium, Kamalapur on Monday.
The winners led the first half by a 1-0 goal.
Forward Mehedi Hasan put Abahani ahead in the 29th minute (1-0) while Brazilian midfielder Raphael sounded the Abahani margin in the 74th minute (2-0).
Uzbek medio Nordirbek scored the lone goal for Swadhinata KC in the stoppage time of the match (2-1).
READ: Ind Cup Football: Mohammedan beat Muktijoddha 2-1
A total 15 teams, including 12 premier division league clubs and three services teams split into four groups, are initially taking part in league basis matches from November 27 to December 8.
Participating teams are:
Group A– Dhaka Abahani Limited, Rahmatganj MFS and Swadhinata KS
Group B: Sheikh Jamal DC, Sheikh Russel KC, Uttar Baridhara Club and Bangladesh Air Force.
Group C: Saif Sporting Club , Mohammedan SC, Muktijoddha Sangsad KC and Bangladesh Army.
READ: Ind Cup Football: Sheikh Russel KC, Sheikh Jamal DC make good start
Group D: Bashundhara Kings, Chittagong Abahani Ltd, Bangladesh Police and Bangladesh Navy
Later, four group champions and runners-up teams, will play in the quarterfinals on December 10 and 12. The two semifinals will be held on December 12 and the final match will be held on December 18.