Abahani put three past Mohammedan

Title contenders Abahani had it all their own way in the Dhaka derby in the season curtain-raising Walton Federation Cup, inflicting a 3-0 defeat on archrivals Mohammedan in the Group D opener at the Bangababandhu National Stadium yesterday.

Title contenders Abahani had it all their own way in the Dhaka derby in the season curtain-raising Walton Federation Cup, inflicting a 3-0 defeat on archrivals Mohammedan in the Group D opener at the Bangababandhu National Stadium yesterday.

Having returned to the Sky Blues after spending the previous season at Indian Super League outfit Chennaiyin FC, Afghanistan's Masih Saighani once again played a key role behind an Abahani triumph. The 34-year-old first broke the deadlock before assisting Jewel Rana, who put the game to bed with Abahani's third goal soon after the break.

11-time champions Abahani, with seven national players, had the upper hand on 10-time champions Mohammedan on paper. But despite fielding a depleted side with hardly any recongised names, Mohammedan reduced the talent gap with a team effort while a few hundred spectators livened up the atmosphere.

The excitement also spread out in the middle of the ground as the two sides fought equally and displayed attacking football before Abahani finally made inroads four minutes before the break.

Abahani wreaked havoc in Mohammedan's danger zone from long throw ins and the Sky Blues capitalised on two such throws after Mohammedan had twice come close to taking the lead inside 30 minutes. Malian striker Souleymane Diabate created a nice chance but Shamol Bepari headed agonisingly wide in the 27th minute. Three minutes later, Diabate again made space inside the box and cut back to Shahed Mia, who failed to finish despite being in good position inside the box. 

Surviving the close calls, Abahani pressed for the lead but goalkeeper Hossain Sujan denied a close-flick from Belfor Kervens in the 31st minute before Masih -- who played tremendously in the AFC Cup and helped Abahani reach the knockout stages for the first time -- put Abahani ahead in the 41st minute with a header from a long throw.

Four minutes later, Jewel Rana got a slight touch on Masih's goalbound bicycle-kick from a well-judged Nabib Newaj Jibon chip and beat Mohammedan goalkeeper Suzan.

After resumption, Mohammedan regrouped and began to press. They came close to pulling one goal back when Nigerian substitute Abiola Nurat rose high, but his powerful header went narrowly wide of the near post in the 52nd minute.

Abahani struck their third goal the next minute to ensure a comfortable start to the tournament against their archrivals when Jewel tapped-in a header from Belfort, who rose high and connected on another long throw from Raihan Hasan.