Former champions Dhaka Abahani Limited advanced to the quarterfinal of the season's curtain-raising meet, the Independence Cup Football 2023, from Group B, beating old Dhaka outfit Rahmatganj Muslim Society by 2-0 goals at the floodlight Bashundhara Kings Arena on Monday evening.

With the day's feat, the popular sky-blue Dhanmondi outfit Abahani confirmed the quarterfinal berth with one match to spare, securing a full six points from two straight matches.

Earlier, Dhaka Abahani Limited made a good start in the ongoing final round of the Independence Cup Football, beating the Bangladesh Air Force team by 2-0 last Friday.

Abahani will now play Sheikh Russel KC in the last Group B match on Thursday to decide the Group B champions.

Last time, runners-up Sheikh Russel KC followed Abahani in the group table with an unbeaten score, securing four points from two Group B matches.

In the day's match, Rahmatganj MFS, which forced meet's runners-up Sheikh Russel KC to play a goalless draw in the first match, also fought hard with Abahani to restrict them goalless till 75 minutes, but two goals in the last 15 minutes caused their defeat.

Striker Conelius Stewart put Abahani ahead from a penalty in the 76th minute (1-0), while Brazilian midfielder Jonathan doubled the margin in the 83rd minute by placing the ball over the opponent custodian (2-0).

Earlier, two teams—Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club and Bangladesh Police FC—also reached the quarterfinals of Group A with one match left and will meet each other on Thursday to decide the group champions.