Rodrigues steals semis berth for Abahani
A stoppage-time hit from Brazilian Francisco Rodrigues steered Abahani to a hard-fought 1-0 make an impression on Uttar Baridhara Golf club in the fourth and last quarterfinal of Walton Federation Cup at Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
After sub-par performances in two group matches, Rodrigues finally shone in the quarterfinal to rescue Abahani with a robust drive from inside field after captain Nabib Newaj Jibon chested down a long ball from Afghan defender Masih Saighani.
That goal nevertheless was due to a controversial move from Abahani. Abahani resumed the take up without throwing the ball to your toes of Uttar Baridhara Club's players, who sent the ball outside pursuing a personal injury of their very own player on the floor. And Abahani sooner or later scored from that strike.
Following goal, the meet was halted for nearly three minutes and a single Baridhara official was as well sent off intended for his unauthorized access to the pitch.
"It was an injustice because Abahani didn't follow the fair-play traditions and we as well don't have anything to do with it since it is portion of play," said Uttar Baridhara instructor Jahidur Rahman Milon. "What will we study from big teams like Abahani if they don't show respect on the floor?"
Referring to an AFC Cup come across against Indian outfit Chennaiyin FC, Abahani trainer denied living of the fair perform tradition.
"How many occasions they tried to take time with the goalkeeper setting up on to the floor? He achieved it six to seven circumstances to spend your time. If we speak about fair play, it generally does not exist. Fair play exists when you gain the match. If you are getting rid of, which team gives the ball back again?" said Lemos.
"I felt Baridhara did everything to gain nonetheless they also wasted considerable time. We had a need to win the match and wanted to play football however they didn't come to play soccer. In the AFC Cup against Chennaiyin FC, we set the ball up for them plus they killed us."
Back to the meet, Abahani dominated throughout and created a handful of good chances but Uttar Baridhara goalkeeper Mamun Alif and the backline stood tall to frustrate the Sky Blues until Rodrigues scored the decisive goal.
Alif denied Jibon in the eighth minute before Masih Saighani saw his goal-bound header cleared from the goalline by defender Papan Singh in the 20th minute.
Uttar Baridhara tried to strike on the break. They arrived close in the 36th minute when national ahead Suman Reza's dipping shot from 30 yards out went only inches over the Abahani crossbar. Egyptian defender Abdel Rahim again disappointed Jibon by stopping a goal-bound shot in the stoppage period of the 1st half.
After resumption, Abahani's Jewel Rana squandered a fairly easy opportunity before Rodrigues rescued the Sky Blues in the stoppage-time.
Abahani will take on holders Bashundhara Kings on Thursday after Saif SC encounter Chattogram Abahani on Wednesday found in the first semifinal.
