Dhaka – A brilliant hat-trick by Nigerian booter Sunday Chizuba guided holders Dhaka Abahani Limited to the final of the Walton Federation Cup Football eliminating three times champions Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club by 4-2 goals in the first semifinal at floodlit Bangabandhu National Stadium here on Monday.After a barren first half, all the six goals came in the 2nd half in a span of 34 minutes.The sky-blue popular Dhanmondi outfit, Abahani Ltd, will play the final on Thursday (Nov 22) at 5 pm against the winners of star-studded Bashundhara Kings and Sheikh Russel KC, which will meet each other in the 2nd semifinal on Tuesday (Nov 20) at 5 pm at the same venue.
Sunday Chizuba, a well-known face in the Dhaka League, made the hat-trick scoring three goals in a row in the 65th (penalty, 82nd and 86th minute while Afghan footballer Masih Saighari netted the other goal for Abahani in the 56th minute. Didarul netted both the goals for Sheikh Jamal in the 79th and 84th minute.
With the day’s feat, 10th times champions Dhaka Abahani Limited need just a win to celebrate their hat-trick championship eliminating Sheikh Jamal DC in the 2nd successive semifinal of the Federation Cup Football.
In the day’s crucial semifinal, Masih opened the floodgate for Abahani in the 56th minute off a corner of Rubel Miah (1-0).
Abahani got the spot kick when Sheikh Jamal defender Shymol Miah fouled on rushing Sunday in the danger zone and Sunday did no mistake to convert the penalty (2-0).
Didarul Alam made the match exciting reducing the margin in the 79th minute (2-1).
Sunday Chizuba further widened the Abahani margin by a good header, capitalising on a free kick of Waly Faisal (3-1) in the 82nd minute.
Didarul again brought Sheikh Jamal in the match scoring his 2nd goal in the 84th minute utilising a lapse of Abahani custodian Shahidul Alam Sohel (3-2) while Sunday sealed the fate of the match scoring his 3rd goal in the 86th minute by a long range shot to complete the 3rd hat-trick of the tournament (4-2).
Later, Sunday Chizuba was adjudged smart player of the match.
Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club booked a seat for the semifinals with unbeaten runs beating Nofel SC 2-1, drew 1-1 with Bashundhara Kings and Dhaka Mohammedan SC in group matches and eliminated Saif SC 2-1 in the quarterfinal.
On the way to the semifinals, Dhaka Abahani beat Muktijoddha SKC 1-0 and conceded 0-1 defeat against Sheikh Russel KC in group affairs and beat Arambagh KS 3-2 in the quarterfinal.UNB
