Abahani suffer big defeat

Abahani suffered a thumping 1-5 defeat against Maldives’ New Radiant Club in the AFC Cup in Male today.

The Sky Blues, who had earlier lost their home leg 1-0 against the Maldives champions in the second tier club tournament sanctioned by the Asian Football Confederation, were overwhelmed by a second-half onslaught from the home side and that too after they cancelled out New Radiant’s first-half lead a minute after the break.

New Radiant pumped in three goals in the space of eight minutes after Abahani’s Japanese midfielder Seiya Kajima drew level in the 46th minute with a powerful right-footer.

However the Kajima goal only added fuel to Radiant’s attack as Ali Fasir, who gave his side a 19th minute lead converting a penalty, completed his hattrick with strikes in the 51st and 56th minute, before veteran forward Ali Ashfaq added the fourth in the 58th minute.

Ashfaq also sealed the fate of the game adding his second in the 88th minute.

It was Abahani’s third defeat in five games to stay in third position of the four-team table lead by Radiant.