Abahani off to winning start

Afghan defender slams match winner for Bangladesh champs

Abahani Limited began their AFC Cup qualifiers with a winning note defeating Manang Marsyangdi Club by 1-0 at ANFA Complex in Kathmandu yesterday. Afghanistan defender Masih Saighani headed home the match winner on half an hour mark of the game.

Abahani Limited, who made a slow start took the match control after 20 minutes and got rid of some initial pressure from home side, and turned the match almost reverse with keeping the opponents into tremendous pressure.

The traditional Sky-Blue, who were with yellow on the day, went very closer to take lead but an effort of Wellington on a corner of Waly Faisal went out o 25th minute.

Abahani worked out the pressure well with taking lead on 27th minute when Nepalese defender forced to save an attack at the cost of a corner after  an excellent build up originated from their own half and pressed Nepalese defence  to break the wall but finally earned the corner.

Waly Faisal, who usually takes the flank kick, floated the ball inside the area where the tall Afghan defender Masih Saighani rushed from defense and fired home his header into top corner of the net (1-0).

Abahani, after taking the lead kept their command in the game and could have gone into break with better margin but due to some aimless and disorganize games during the finishing hour had to remain satisfy with the minimum lead.

However, the second half was not very satisfactory, as the hosts were better in attacking and match controlling when Abahani looked a bit defensive and could go closer to double the lead twice but the Brazilian Wellington and Jibon could not take any attempt from the box.

Manag Marshyangi, also had a good chance to equalise the margin but an effort from a forward narrowly missed the cross piece.

The Professional League Champions Abahani Limited have not been able to cross the first-round hurdle in their previous two attempts in the AFC Cup and five attempts in the now-defunct AFC President’s Cup. The other two teams in their group are two Indian outfits — two-time Indian Super League champions Chennaiyin FC and former I-League champions Minerva Punjab.

Only the group winners from Group E will advance to the next stage, the inter-zonal playoff semifinals.

The Dhaka giant will then play their second group home match against Minera Punjab on April 17 at Bangabandhu National Stadium (BNS) before playing their third group away match against Chennaiyin FC on April 30 at The Arena, Ahmedabad.

The sky blue Dhanmondi ‘outfit’ again face against Chennaiyin and Manang Marshyangdi Club in the home matches on May 15 and June 17 at BNS before playing their last group away match against Minerva Punjab on June 26 at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar.

Teams:

Dhaka Abahani First XI: Sahidul Alam(GK, captain), Rayhan, Waly, Badsha, Sohel Rana, Wellington; Ziban, Sunday, Rubel, Masih and Belfort.

MMC First XI: Bishal Shrestha(GK); Biraj Maharjan(captain), Muhammed Asif, Kamal Shrestha, Devendra Tamang;Bishal Rai, Heman Gurung, Sujal Shrestha, Anjan Bista, Somide Oluwawunmi and Afeez Olawale.

Abahani off to winning start

Afghan defender slams match winner for Bangladesh champs

Abahani Limited began their AFC Cup qualifiers with a winning note defeating Manang Marsyangdi Club by 1-0 at ANFA Complex in Kathmandu yesterday. Afghanistan defender Masih Saighani headed home the match winner on half an hour mark of the game. Abahani Limited, who made a slow start took the match control after 20 minutes and got rid of some initial pressure from home side, and turned the match almost reverse with keeping the opponents into tremendous pressure. The traditional Sky-Blue, who were with yellow on the day, went very closer to take lead but an effort of Wellington on a corner of Waly Faisal went out o 25th minute. Abahani worked out the pressure well with taking lead on 27th minute when Nepalese defender forced to save an attack at the cost of a corner after an excellent build up originated from their own half and pressed Nepalese defence to break the wall but finally earned the corner. Waly Faisal, who usually takes the flank kick, floated the ball inside the area where the tall Afghan defender Masih Saighani rushed from defense and fired home his header into top corner of the net (1-0). Abahani, after taking the lead kept their command in the game and could have gone into break with better margin but due to some aimless and disorganize games during the finishing hour had to remain satisfy with the minimum lead. However, the second half was not very satisfactory, as the hosts were better in attacking and match controlling when Abahani looked a bit defensive and could go closer to double the lead twice but the Brazilian Wellington and Jibon could not take any attempt from the box. Manag Marshyangi, also had a good chance to equalise the margin but an effort from a forward narrowly missed the cross piece. The Professional League Champions Abahani Limited have not been able to cross the first-round hurdle in their previous two attempts in the AFC Cup and five attempts in the now-defunct AFC Presidents Cup. The other two teams in their group are two Indian outfits two-time Indian Super League champions Chennaiyin FC and former I-League champions Minerva Punjab. Only the group winners from Group E will advance to the next stage, the inter-zonal playoff semifinals. The Dhaka giant will then play their second group home match against Minera Punjab on April 17 at Bangabandhu National Stadium (BNS) before playing their third group away match against Chennaiyin FC on April 30 at The Arena, Ahmedabad. The sky blue Dhanmondi outfit again face against Chennaiyin and Manang Marshyangdi Club in the home matches on May 15 and June 17 at BNS before playing their last group away match against Minerva Punjab on June 26 at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar. Teams: Dhaka Abahani First XI: Sahidul Alam(GK, captain), Rayhan, Waly, Badsha, Sohel Rana, Wellington; Ziban, Sunday, Rubel, Masih and Belfort. MMC First XI: Bishal Shrestha(GK); Biraj Maharjan(captain), Muhammed Asif, Kamal Shrestha, Devendra Tamang;Bishal Rai, Heman Gurung, Sujal Shrestha, Anjan Bista, Somide Oluwawunmi and Afeez Olawale.