Abahani Limited moved into the semi-finals of the Independence Cup with a 1-0 win over Sheikh Russell Krira Chakra in their last Group B match at the Banganbandhu National Stadium on Saturday. A 72nd minute strike from substitute winger Jewel Rana was enough for the Sky Blues to give them a much relieved win. With the win, Abahani, who were starring in the danger of missing the semi-final spot after earning only six points from their first four matches, also knocked Team BJMC out of the tournament.
Russell, who were already assured of a place in the semi-final finished the Group B as champions with 10 points from five matches despite the loss.
They will take on Group A runners-up Chittagong Abahani in the first semi-final on May 3 while Group B runners-up Abahani will face Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club on following day in the other semi-final.
After a barren first half, where there were very little goal scoring opportunities, Abahani started pressing for a goal.
In the 37th minute, Abahani’s Senegalese forward Camara Sarba wasted a chance when he won a ball in the goal-mouth melee only to see his shot from the middle of the box was blocked by a Russell defender.
Camara had another great chance three minutes later but again his header following a cross of Faisal Mahmud was punched away by Russell keeper Rasel Mahmud Liton.
Liton made another brilliant save in the 68th minute to deny a free-kick of English forward Lee Andrew Tuck, who returned to the squad after serving a one-match suspension, from 30 yards out.
Nigerian forward Sunday Chizoba also failed to give Abahani a deserving lead in the 71st minute by ballooning the ball over the bar.
Jewel Rana, who came from the bench to replace Shahedul Alam Shahed in the second half, finally broke the deadlock, a minute later.
A lovely back-heel by Camara Sarba found Jewel Rana at the right of the box and the midfielder slotted the ball home past Liton to seal the fate of the contest.
-With New Age input
