Abahani storm into final

DHAKA - Abahani Limited, Dhaka stormed into the final

of Riviera Independence Cup Football when they blanked Saif Sporting Club by
2-0 goals in the first semifinal held today (Tuesday) at Birshreshtha Shaheed
Sepoy Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Stadium in the city's Kamalapur.

   Abahani will now play the final match against the day's second semifinal
winners' either Bashundhara Kings or Bangladesh Police Football Club. The
final will be held on Saturday (Dec 18) at the same venue.

   In the day's match, Costa Rica forward Daniel Colindres and forward Nabib
Newaz Jibon netted one goal each in both half to secure victory for Abahani
who led the first half by 1-0 goal scored both.

   Colindres opened an account scoring the first goal for Abahani Limited in
the 25th minute while after resumption Jibon sealed the victory for Abahani
scoring the second goal in the 82nd minute of the match.

   Saif SC however tried heart and soul to stage a fight back in the
remaining proceeding but could not convert any.

   The traditional sky blue Dhanmondi outfit dominated the proceeding and
notched their deserving victory on the day while the Federation Cup runners-
up Saif SC were off-colored.  

   Earlier, on way to the semifinal, Abahani Limited, Dhaka, crushed ten men
Bangladesh Army Football team by 4-0 goals in the first quarterfinal while
Saif Sporting Club confirmed their spot of last four when they beat ten men
Swadhinata Krira Sangha by 2-0 goals in the second quarterfinal.

   The traditional sky blue Dhanmondi outfit Abahani Limited, Dhaka
maintained their supremacy in the group phase matches. They beat Swadhinata
Krira Sangha by 2-1 goals in t heir first match and emerged group champions
by defeating Rahmatganj Muslim and Friends Society by 3-1 goals in their
second and last group A match of the competition.

   while Saif Sporting Club, earlier beat Bangladesh Army football team by 2-
1 goals in their group opening match, defeated Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad Krira Chakra by 3-2 goals in their second group match and played out to a 1-1 goal draw with Mohammedan Sporting Club Limited in their last group match of the tournament.BSS