ZCZC
BSP-17
FOOTBALL-FEDERATION CUP-BASHUNDHARA
Bashundhara cruise to Federation Cup final
DHAKA, Jan. 7, 2021, (BSS) – Star-studded Bashundhara Kings ensured their spot of final in the curtain raiser 32nd Federation Cup Football when they came from behind to beat Dhaka Abahani Limited by 3-1 goals in the keenly contested second semifinal held today at Bangabandhu National Stadium here.
The holders will now play the final match against Saif Sporting Club in a battle retain their crown to be held on Sunday (January 10) at the same venue.
Saif Sporting Club, who confirmed their spot of final earlier in the first semifinal of the tournament, blanked Chattogram Abahani Limited by 3-0 goals. It’s expected that the football fans will see another high voltage match in the final.
The Bashundhara Kings booters, who continued their impressive performance throughout the tournament, went attack early in the 11th minute when Brazilian forward Robinho’s attempt returned to play after hitting the right side bar.
Bashundhara’s Argentine forward Raœl Becerra missed a scoring chance in the 17th minute when his feeble shot from the close range was brilliantly cleared for safety by Abahani’s custodian Sohel diving his left.
Bashundhara continued their onslaught and this time Biswanath Ghosh, after running down with the ball with his solo effort, took an angular shot from close range but the ball sailed harmlessly over the crossbar in the 29th minute.
Abahani however went ahead when their Brazilian forward Francisco put Abahani ahead in the 31st minute with a right footer placing shot giving no chance to Bashundhara’s custodian Anisur Rahman Zico under the bar.
After the resumption, Brazilian midfielder Jonathan Fernandes brought Bashundhara in match scoring his first goal in the 51st minute from the close range.
Argentine forward Raœl Oscar Becerra put Bashundhara ahead scoring the second goal in the 111th minute with a placing shot from handshake distance in the open net.
The extra time could have been also ended 2-2 if referee Sujit Benarjee would not pointed Abahani’s Ziban’s goal for off side in the dying moment of the match.
Jonathon sealed the victory scoring his second and third goal for Bashundhara in the 121st minute with a straight powerful shot from the top of the D-box.
Both Bashundhara Kings and Abahani Limited showed entertaining football on the day launching several attacks all through the proceeding. The sky blue Dhanmondi outfit probably a little bit unlucky today compared to Bashundhara as they missed some real scoring chances in the second half.
Earlier, in the group stage matches, 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 beat Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad Krira Chakra by 2-1 goals in their second and last group match to reach to the quarterfinal as group champions.
On the other hand, Bashundhara Kings also maintained their all-win run in their group stage matches. They made a flying start in the tournament beating old Dhaka outfit Rahmatganj Muslim and Friends Society by 3-0 goals and confirmed their spot of quarterfinal as group champions with solitary goal victory over Chattogram Abahani Limited in their second and last group match.
Bashundhara Kings ensured their last four stage by beating Lieutenant Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club by 2-0 goals in the third quarterfinal.
Squads:
Abahani Limited -Shahidul, Rayhan, Nasir, Tutul, Sohel, Francisco, Ziban, Saad Uddin, Masih, Belfort and Raphael.
Bashundhara – Topu, Zoni, Jonathan, Oscar, Robson, Biswanath, Biplo, Mahbubur, Anisur, Khaled and Rimon.
BSS/SG/MMA/2000HRS