Dhaka, Aug 3 (bdnews24.com) – The old order triumphed in the mega-rich Grameenphone Super Cup in Wednesday's second semi-final after traditional powerhouse Dhaka Abahani Limited set up a repeat of the 2009 final with Dhaka Mohammedan following a tense 5-4 shootout victory over Muktijoddha Sangsad Krira Chakra.
On that occasion Mohammedan lifted the cup with a 1-0 win. Abahani will be aiming to avenge that defeat when the two heavyweights face off in the Tk 10 million grand finale on Aug 6.
The score after 120 minutes was 2-2 at the Bangabandhu National Stadium, so the game rolled into penalties.
Samad Yousif, Abul Hossain, Cletus Blamo, Alfaz Ahmed and Shakhwat Rony converted from the spot for Abahani while Paul Dammi, Nasiruddin, Arman Aziz and Alamu Bukola scored for Muktijoddha. Alamgir Kabir Rana missed when he stepped up to take his penalty.
Muktijoddha, the Bangladesh League runners-up, might consider themselves unlucky as they saw the Federation Cup holders Abahani come back from behind twice to snatch victory from their grasp in regulation time.
Nigerian forward Alamu Bukola Olalekan put Muktijoddha ahead in the 14th minute after midfielder Motiur Munna fed him with a nice through pass and the striker beat two defenders and Abahani goalie Sohel from close range.
Abahani ensured that they ended the half on level terms after Robin equalised six minutes later when his angular placing shot beat Biplob and hit the sidepost before hitting the net after Awudu toe-pocked a forward pass to him.
Midfielder Zahed Parvez then restored Muktijoddha's lead three minutes after the break as he hit the far corner of the net off a neat left flank cross from Bukola.
However, it was Robin who brought Abahani back into the game again in the 63rd minute. He beat two Muktijoddha defenders and placed the ball in the far post after a solo effort down the left flank.
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