Last year's runners-up Abahani will now face Mariner Youngs Club, who stunned holders Mohamme-dan in Thursday's first semi, in the final on November 9.

The popular Sky Blues were virtually dead and buried but a 65th minute strike by veteran Musa Mia took the game straight into a shootout.

The hero of the shootout drama was Abahani's Russel Khan Bappi. He won the 'battle of goalkeepers' against the up and coming Zahid Hossain, who helped Bangladesh clinch the Under-21 international title.

Bappi saved the hits of Tabib-e-Noor and Moududur Rahman Shuvo after Shahidullah Titoo, Hedayetul Islam Rajib, Rajib Ahmed Isa and Kurshid Alam converted for the Abahani.

Earlier, it looked more like Usha held the upper hand against the giants when Yemin Hossain capitalised a penalty-corner in the early fourth minute and Mazharul Islam Maksud doubled it through a field goal in the 13th minute. But they eventually succumbed to goals by Indian Ronald Kiran and Musa. Abahani forward Russel Mahmud Jimmy reduced the deficit in the 26th minute.

After the breather Rahul Kanti Roy restored Usha's two-goal lead following Bappi's failure to clear a Shuvo cross leaving him the easy task of pushing the ball into the net.

Abahani then launched a wave of attacks and the pressure finally resulted in a 53rd minute penalty-corner from which Ronald slammed in.

With five minutes to go before the final whistle Usha believed they looked safe but they did not count on Musa adding another twist to the script when he scored from powerful hit after a goalmouth melee.