Abahani's bid for a rare domestic treble got off to a positive start as the Federation Cup and Bangladesh Premier League champions handed a 2-0 defeat to Team BJMC in their opening match of the Walton Independence Cup at the Bangabandhu National Stadium last night.
Striker Nabib Newaj Jibon provided the Sky Blues with the break-through in the first half before midfielder Atiqur Rahman Fahad sealed the victory to all but confirm their quarterfinal berth from Group C. They just need a draw against Sheikh Russel on January 25 to ensure the last eight.
Abahani came into the Independence Cup after clinching their sixth title of the professional league as well as a 10-match unbeaten streak, and they played like champions for most part of the match.
However, the Sky Blues had a scrappy first 20 minutes and could have conceded the lead due to fumbles from goalkeeper Shahidul Alam Shohel.
Sohel first failed to clear a curling free-kick from Abdullah Parvez and the ball came to BJMC defender Khokon, who saw his goal-bound header intercepted by opposition defender Mamun Mia before it hit the crossbar in the 14th minute. Four minutes later, the goalkeeper's poor clearance fell to unmarked Shariful Islam, but the striker failed to keep his shot on target.
The Dhanmondi giants regained confidence with exchange of passes and pressed hard for the opening goal, which came in the 24th minute when Jibon rose high to head home a long throw-in from Raihan Hasan.
Jibon was then presented with a cross by Saad Uddin in the 27th minute but his header went straight to BJMC goalkeeper Arifuzzaman Himel while Rubel Mia floated one over the crosspiece two minutes into the second half before driving miles off target in the 67th minute.
Rubel, however, turned provider in the 83rd minute when he cut the ball back to Fahad, who let loose a powerful right-footer from 25 yards to beat Himel.
Meanwhile, Mohammedan came from a goal down to hold Sheikh Jamal to a 1-1 draw in a Group A fixture earlier in the day.
Nurul Absar put Sheikh Jamal ahead in the 35th minute with a low shot after availing a poor clearance from opposition goalkeeper Rasel Mahmud Liton. However, veteran striker Zahid Hasan Emily equalised in the 57th minute by heading home a free-kick from Mithun Chowdhury as both sides settled for a share of the spoils.
