Dhaka, March 23 (BDNEWS) – A first half goal by Zaheed Parvez took the Abahani Limited to the semi-final of Independence Day Gold Cup Football tournament as the last team as they handed a solitary goal defeat to Farashganj SC in the Group B last match at Bangabandhu National Stadium Wednesday.
Brothers Union registered an emphatic 3-0 victory over Youngmen's Fakirerpool in their last encounter on the water-socked ground to keep unbeaten record in three group matches.
Brothers Union finished as Group B champions to set a semi-final clash with Mohammedan SC on March 25. Group A champions Muktijoddha will take on Abahani in the second semi-final on March 27.
Abahani went into the field against Farashganj with a must-win situation to confirm the semi-final berth and came out from the field with a victory.
Farashganj, who came from behind to draw with Brothers Union, needed only one point to overtake Abahani to book the semi-final seat, but the Abahani dashed their (Farashganj) dream.
Both teams tried to display an attacking football, but the water-socked ground barred players in showing natural show. The inclement weather halted the match by one hour to begin. Besides, the second half of the first match was played amid heavy rain.
The popular sky blue outfit Abahani Limited had huge pressure on Farashganj from the beginning, but their sky striker squandered few brilliant opportunities.
The Dhanmondi outfit, however, found the match-winner one minute before the breather when Zaheed Parvez sent the ball into the Farashganj net utilizing a left flank cross by Ujjal.
Striker Farhad could have brought blood into vein of Abahani in the 26th minute if he could not squander a penalty shot to the surprise of spectators.
Farashganj defender Opu hit Farhad from the back inside box and referee whistled for penalty, but Farhad failed to convert it.
Ronny of Farashganj came close to score in the 61st minute, but he sent the ball wide off.
In the first match, Russian striker Edward put the Gopibagh outfit Brothers Union ahead in the 11th minute with a left-footer following a left flank cross by Parvez Babu.
Moroccan striker Adel, his first appearance in Bangladesh, headed home following a left flack minus of winger Siraji to double Brothers Union margin. Later, Adel converted a penalty kick in the 74th minute to complete the tally.
BDNEWS/2101 hrs
