Abahani, Bashundhara lock horns in 2nd semi final tomorrow

DHAKA, Jan. 6, 2021 (BSS)- Star studded Dhaka Abahani Limited takes on holders Bashundhara Kings in the second semifinal of Federation Cup Football scheduled to be held tomorrow at Bangabandhu National Stadium.

Private satellite channel T Sports will telecast the match live that kicks off at 4 pm.
Abahani had to sweat to reach the last four stages of the Federation Cup football. The sky blue Dhanmondi outfit, who won the title of the Federation Cup for eleven times after having played the final for nineteen occasions, narrowly escaped from the disaster in the quarterfinal against Uttar Baridhara Club.

Abahani had to wait till the last minute to ensure their spot of semifinal. Last time, the former Federation Cup champions dropped out from this stage losing to old Dhaka outfit Rahmatganj Muslim and Friends Society.

Abahani had surpassed their arch-rival Mohammedan’s record winning the trophy of Federation Cup tournament after beating Bashundhara Kings in the final back in 2018. But, now the two teams are going to meet a little earlier.

So, the football fans are eagerly waiting to enjoy the fight between the reigning champions Bashundhara Kings and the former champions Abahani in the second semi final tomorrow.

Who could face them in the semi-finals, it was predictable after the end of group stage matches. If Abahani or Bashundhara Kings were to become runners-up in their respective groups, they would not have to face each other in the last four. As the two teams have reached this stage early, the spectators will get the opportunity to enjoy the battle of the best sides of the tournament.

It can certainly say that the second semifinal match will spread the spark of fire. The Abahani’s fans were seen expressing their disappointment after the last quarterfinal match against Uttar Baridhara.

Though it does not mean that the sky blue Dhanmondi outfit will repeat the same performance and leave easily to Bashundhara in tomorrow’s semifinal match.

Abahani’s bad day could have come in the quarter final, but it didn’t happen, as they were saved for the last minute goal. Bad days will not always come for a team like Abahani. So it can be said that the second semi-final of Abahani-Bashundhara Kings will surely spread the smell of gunpowder.

The football fans are waiting for a different exciting match before the high voltage final encounter which will be held on January 10 at the same venue.

Earlier, in the group stage matches, Abahani Limited made a flying start in the tournament beating their arch-rival Mohammedan Sporting Club Limited by 3-0 goals in the group stage opening match and beat Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad Krira Chakra by 2-1 goals in their second and last group match to reach to the quarterfinal as group champions.

On the other hand, Bashundhara Kings also maintained their all-win run in their group stage matches. They made a flying start in the tournament beating old Dhaka outfit Rahmatganj Muslim and Friends Society by 3-0 goals and confirmed their spot of quarterfinal as group champions with solitary goal victory over Chattogram Abahani Limited in their second and last group match.

Bashundhara Kings ensured their last four stage by beating Lieutenant Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club by 2-0 goals in the third quarterfinal.BSS