Two traditional rivals, reigning champions Mohammedan Sporting Club (MSC) and runners-up Abahani Krira Chakra Limited, fought with each other for the Group B title of the 35th Federation Cup Football Tournament at Sheikh Fazlul Haque Mani Stadium, Gopalganj, on Tuesday.
MSC won over their archrivals Abahani by 2-1 goals, though the Black & Whites conceded the goal first. Both teams reached the last eight in the ongoing tournament. With this win, MSC became group champions in the federation cup.
Abahani’s Saint Vincent and the Grenadines forward Cornelius Stewart scored in the 38th minute of the match. After this goal, Abahani attacked MSC, but the strikers failed to increase the tally.
The first half was 1-0. After the interval, MSC bounced back into the match. Nigerian center-back Emmanuel Tony Agbaji equalized in the 51st minute of the outing for the Motijheel outfit. The center-back became a hero again just four minutes later. He scored his and the team's second goal in the 55th minute of the encounter.
With this win, MSC achieved nine points from three matches, while Abahani secured six points from the same number of outings. MSC won all three matches in the group, and Abahani won two outings and lost one.
The two teams will meet again on April 30 in Dhaka. Abahani will try their level best to win the match, while MSC wishes to continue their winning streak in that match.
Meanwhile, Chittagong Abahani thrashed Brothers Union (BU) by 3-0 goals at Shaheed Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium, Munshiganj, on the same day.
It was the first win for Chittagong Abahani, while BU lost all three encounters in the group. Chittagong Abahani secured three points from three matches. On the other hand, BU conceded 11 goals and scored only one in the tournament.
Earlier, Sheikh Jamal DC, Police FC, Bashundhara Kings, and Fortis FC were qualified for the quarterfinals, which will begin on April 2, after a long gap.