Federation Cup Football: Four former champions advance

The quarterfinal line-up for the Walton Federation Cup was completed yesterday, with four former champions advanced into the knockout stages after the final round of group-stage matches at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

11-time champions Abahani defeated three-time champions Muktijoddha Sangsad 2-1 to emerge as champions of Group D with six points from two outings. The win also saw their archrivals Mohammedan SC advance with three points as the runners up of the group.

Abahani took the momentum from a morale-boosting 3-0 win over Mohammedan into match against Muktijoddha Sangsad, dominating them throughout 90 minutes and winning 2-1. But the margin of victory would have been more emphatic had captain Nabib Newaj Jibon not squandered a couple of scoring opportunities.

Afghanistan defender Masih Saighani netted his second in as many games for Abahani, providing a 30-minute lead from a free-kick, before Jibon drove wide twice from close range. Saighani came close to doubling the lead but was well denied by goalkeeper Nurul Karim in stoppage time.

After resumption, Abahani pressed to widen the margin and Haiti's Kerven Fils Belfort nodded home a corner from Jibon in the 69th minute. Muktijoddha Sangsad pulled one back through substitute Rahit Sarkar three minutes from time, but it proved to be only a consolation goal.

In the day's second match, Sheikh Russel edged Sheikh Jamal 3-2 to emerge as Group A champions with six points. Sheikh Jamal, despite being equal on one point with Bangladesh Police, moved into the last eight from the same group by virtue of scoring more goals.

It took Sheikh Russel just six minutes to get the lead, a header from Tajik defender Siyovush Asrorov bulging the net before Nigeria's Obi Moneke doubled the lead in the 39th minute.

After the break, Sheikh Jamal hit back through Solomon King, who converted a spot-kick in the 49th minute. But Sheikh Russel restored their two-goal cushion ten minutes later as substitute Toklish tapped home. Sheikh Jamal were in danger of being eliminated from the tournament at that point, but King scored again from a penalty to better Bangladesh Police and ensure a quarterfinal berth for his side.

Quarterfinal Line-up:

Dec 1: Sheikh Russel vs Chattogram Abahani

Dec 2: Saif vs Mohammedan

Dec 3: Bashundhara Kings vs Sheikh Jamal

Dec 4: Abahani vs Uttar Baridhara