Abahani, Police move into last four following thrillers

Reigning champions Abahani and Bangladesh Police FC moved into the semifinals of Bashundhara Group Independence Cup after beating their respective rivals in the quarterfinals at different venues today.

Defending champions Abahani set their Wednesday's semifinal clash against former Sheikh Russel KC by handing a narrow 2-1 defeat to Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj while Bangladesh Police will play their Thursday's semifinal match against last edition's runners-up Bashundhara Kings following an exciting 5-4 win over Muktijoddha Sangsad at the Shaheed Dhirendranath Datta Stadium in Cumilla.

Holders Abahani apparently dominated over their neighbouring rivals, who played the Independence Cup final once in 2013 before taking a lead on the hour mark, courtesy of an own goal from Sheikh Jamal defender Shakil Hossain.

Abahani in possession. Photo: Abahani facebook

Shakil was forced to strike own net following a powerful header from Syrian Mohammad Yousef off an Emon Mahmud corner in the 30th minute. Sheikh Jamal then levelled the margin from a quick counter in the 77th minute as Cornelius Stewart placed home by capitalising a forward-pass from Uzbek Otabek Jonov.

The remaining time failed to separate both sides and the match rolled into the extra time. Ultimately, Abahani kept their supremacy intact with substitute Rahim Uddin heading home a Nigerian forward Peter Nworah cross inside the six-yard box nine minutes into the first-half extra time to confirm their third consecutive semi-final berth.

Meanwhile in Cumilla, surprise-package Bangladesh Police continued their stunning run in season's opening tournament by confirming a second successive semifinal berth in Independence Cup despite facing some tough challenges from former champions Muktijoddha Sangsad.

Police took a 2-0 lead within 33 minutes with MS Bablu and Edward Enrich from Venezuela scoring one goal apiece before Muktijoddha hit back to take a 3-2 lead.

Police players celebrate a goal. Photo: BFF

Nigerian Emmanuel Ikechukwu pulled one goal back in the 45th minute before Selemani Landry from Burundi struck twice in the 55th and 70th minute, respectively.

Goals kept flowing further as Police bounced back in the match to level the margin in 81st minute with a strike from Jose Alexander of Panam before Almazbek Malikov from Kyrgyzstan restored the lead in the 86th minute,

However, Police could not hold the lead for the remaining minutes as defender Al Amin struck own net in stoppage time, bringing Muktijoddha back into the match. The semifinal rolled into the 30-minute extra time where substitute Esanur Rahman struck the winning goal in the 120th minute.