Coming from a goal down, Abahani Limited grabbed a deserving 3-2 home win in the AFC Cup group phase match defeating Chennaiyin FC yesterday at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in the capital. Abahani had to win the match just to remain on course to cross the preliminary stage in the tournament and they did it commendably after conceding a suicidal goal defeat to Chennaiyin FC in their away match in Ahmedabad.
After yesterday’s win, Abhani equalised the points with Channaiyin FC with both the sides now poised on seven points each after four encounters. Despite conceding a goal early into the match, Abahani did not lose courage and took lead after the visitors equalising the margin with two marvelous strikes.
Chennaiyin FC appeared with an aggressive mood right after the first whistle and won a corner on the seventh minute from a constant pressure which ultimately translated into a goal. A floated flank kick by Issac was well placed nearer to side post but none of the defenders or goalkeeper Sohel could not clear it but watching the ball just dropped on the feet of Vineeth, who did not miss to push it into net (1-0).
Abahanai, who looked lost in the early hour, got back the spirit after conceding the goal and started to press on the opponents playing slick passes and energetic movement. As the hosts enjoyed the possession sensationally in the full first half, they raided sharply to go closer to score goals.
But the Bangladesh champions despite going very close failed to score any goal from some good chances they created. Sunday could have the equaliser on 20th minute but failed to mark the target when after a solo effort he dribbled past two defenders outside the area and powered a right footer but was straight to goalkeeper.
In the opening 45 minutes Abahani went closer for three more times to score goals but Sunday and Jewel Rana could not mark the market. On 27th minute an excellent back header of Sunday on Waly Faisal’s cross Chennaiyin FC’s goalkeeper gripped well and on 33rd minute a terrific movement with Belfort and Sunday playing one-two entered into the box and a strong effort from Sunday went out just kissing the cross piece.
After a frustrating first half Abahani began the second half with same style with pressing game and keeping the visitors under tremendous pressure equalized the arrear when Belfort finally found the net on 64th.
This time Masih Saighani’s set piece some five yards away to box Belfort received well and was faster to enter into the danger area edging past the defenders and finally beat the advancing goalkeeper sent the ball into far post (1-1).
Inspired by the Masih’s equalizer, Abahani became more hostile and took the lead just five minutes later and it was a world class goal when the Afghanistan tall man fired home a free kick into the top corner of far post just from the corner of the box giving no chance to opponents’ keeper on 69th (2-1). After taking the lead it looked Abahani would have good margin win as, the kept their momentum with playing offensive approach. But the celebration of Abahani was not last long, as Chennaiyin FC leveled the margin six minute later when Issac scored the goal against the run of the game just taking advantage of defenders and the goalkeeper Sohel’s blunder on 74th minute (2-2).
Abahani, who desperately needed the win to remain in the race strongly, did not look back and hold on to their offensive stance and keeping the opponents under pressure opened the opportunities just smashing the defense. Finally got the deserving win with Mamunul Islam found the net with an outstanding left-foot side volley from inside the area.
It was a trade-mark long throw-in of Raihan Hassan was cleared with a header by defender and the captain Mailson but the ball went to unmarked Mamunul’s way and the veteran playmaker did not miss to volleyed home on 88th minute (3-2).