DHAKA, Jan 4, 2021 (BSS) – The semifinals line-up of the Federation
Cup Football now completed when title aspirant Abahani Limited, Dhaka
registered a hard-fought solitary goal victory over Uttar Baridhara
Club in the fourth and last quarterfinal match held today at
Bangabandhu National Stadium here.
Abahani Limited will now meet holders Bashundhara Kings in the
second semifinal scheduled to be held on Thursday (January 7)
following the first semifinal match between Chattogram Abahani Limited
and Saif porting Club slated for Wednesday (January 6).
It was an impressive display by Baridhara booters in the proceeding
because they put up a strong resistance and foiled number of Abahani’s
attacks.
Brazilian forward Francisco Wagsley Rodrigues finally rescued
Abahani in the 90+4th with a placing shot from inside the D box giving
no chance to Uttar Baridhara Custodian.
Despite the day’s victory, the sky blue Dhanmondi outfit supporters
however were not happy with Abahani’s hard-fought victory against the
Uttar Baridhara club because after the match, Abahani’s supporters
were seen shouting standing from the West Gallery for some time.
Earlier, the eleven time Federation Cup champions Abahani Limited
made a flying start in the tournament beating their arch-rival
Mohammedan Sporting Club Limited by 3-0 goals in the group stage
opening match and confirmed their spot of quarterfinal as group
champions eliminating Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad Krira Chakra by
2-1 goals in their second and last group match.
On the other hand, Baridhara made a losing start in their opening
group match when they suffered a 0-3 drubbing to group B champions
Saif Sporting Club, but they fought back strongly by winning the
remaining group matches.
Baridhara registered a 3-2 goal victory over Arambagh Krira Sangha
in their group second match and ensured their last eight place as
group runners-up with a 3-0 goal win over all orange Gopibagh outfit
Brothers Union Club.