Abahani demonstrated their trial of strength in the second semifinal of the Citycell Federation Cup against Sylhet's Beanibazar at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday. Here the Sky Blues' three scorers (R to L) Ghanaian Sheriff, Ujjal and Enamul celebrate along with Panotosh (L) after their 4-1 win.Photo: STARTitle contenders Abahani oozed class in a spirited come from behind win to reach the final of the Citycell Federation Cup with a comfortable 4-1 win over newcomers Beanibazar SC in the semifinal at Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
Hasan Iman Rikto put Beanibazar ahead in beginning moment before Sheriff Deen Mohammad, Mehdi Hasan Ujjal and a brace from Emanul Haq set up the final clash against bitter rivals Mohammedan SC on Tuesday.
Abahani, who appeared to struggle in the midfield in all their previous four matches, yesterday looked more organised with the inclusion of Ghanaian midfielder Mohammad Awal, who made his debut for the Sky Blues in place of his suspended compatriot Awudu Ibrahim.
It was however inspirational midfielder Ujjal, who had a hand in all four goals and was deservedly named the man of the match. Abahani needed someone in the midfield to get a grip on proceedings and Ujjal, who missed most of last season's B. League as well the Super Cup due to a suspension imposed by Abahani, came forward to rescue the popular Sky Blues outfit after they had gone down in the very third minute in front of some 5,000 spectators.
Beanibazar stunned their mighty opponents in the early moments when former Brothers medio Rikto blasted a dipping shot outside the box that flipped into the net after rattling the underside of the crossbar, but Abahani never looked demoralised and hit back soon striking three goals inside five minutes.
Enamul headed an Ujjal freekick home to level the margin in the 19th minute and broke Beanibazar goalkeeper Sultan Ahmed's unbeaten record. Two minutes later, Ujjal doubled the margin when Awal whipped in a cross from the right for Sheriff, who rose high but could not connect it but an unmarked Ujjal tapped the ball home.
Then, Ujjal ran down from the middle to nutmeg two Beanibazar players before releasing a through pass for national striker Emamul, who drove the ball straight to goalkeeper Sultan Ahmed in the 23rd minute. However, Ujjal saw his right-side corner headed home by Ghanaian striker Sheriff in the very next minute and Abahani went for a breather with a comfortable 3-1 lead.
Despite going three goal down, Beanibazar showed fighting attitude, but could not split Abahani backline marshalled by Rajani Kanta Barman, Samad Yousuf, Atiqur Rahman Mishu and Ibnul Siraji.
After resumption, striker Emamul, playing in place of the injured Robin, sealed the match with his second goal converting a low drive from Ujjal five minutes into the second half.
Coach Amalesh withdrew Ujjal after 60 minutes and made three changes to send on Zahid Parvez Chowdhury, Arif Khan Joy and M Sujan, but they could not widen the margin.
It was a great relief for Abahani to see the better coordination in the midfield before the final clash with rivals Mohammedan and coach Amalesh Sen praised Ujjal for his invaluable contribution in the match.
"The midfield played as expected today and we never felt worried despite going down in the initial moment as we were confident to bounce back, specially in the way we were playing," said Amalesh adding that conceding the early goal was a blessing for them.
The Abahani's long-serving coach also praised the opponents for the fighting approach till the last moment.
Beanibazar coach Josimuddin Ahmed Joshi, however, was bit unprepared to concede four goals and blamed some mistakes made by the defenders for the loss.
Joshi said that three Ghanaian players of Abahani made the difference in the game.
TEAMS
ABAHANI: Biplob Bhatta-charjee, Samad, Rajani, Siraji, Mishu, Ujjal (Zahed), Pranotosh (Joy), Shahedul Alam (Sujan), Awal, Enamul and Sheriff.
BEANIBAZAR: Sultan, Faisal Mahmud, Mollah Moshiur Kabir, Shahanur Rahman Ronny, Bipul Chandra Barman, Ashraful Karim, Toufiq Hasan Gafur, Lamine Soumah, Rashed Ahmed Pappu (Sheikh Abid Hossain), Rikto (Sohel Rana) and Saifullah.
Yellow cards: Saifullah (beanibazar).
Referee: Tayeb Hasan.
