Dhaka Abahani secured their first victory of the season with a 4–2 win over Fakirerpool Youngmen in the opening group stage match of the Federation Cup at Bashundhara Kings Arena on Friday. The win followed one earlier Premier League victory and one defeat for the historic club this season.
Abahani drew first blood in the sixth minute when goalkeeper Saju Ahmed fouled newly signed Suleman Diabate inside the box, allowing the Malian forward to calmly convert the resulting penalty. Sheikh Morsalin, also recently signed, doubled the lead in the 33rd minute after a one-two with Diabate. Just two minutes later, Abahani were awarded another penalty, which Diabate converted to take the team into halftime with a 3–0 advantage.
Fakirerpool briefly revived hopes early in the second half as Shanto Tudu found the net in the 16th minute. However, Abahani quickly restored their two-goal cushion when Morsalin struck again in the 63rd minute. Mohammad Riyad reduced the deficit in the 69th minute, leaving the final score at 4–2. Morsalin also missed a chance for a hat-trick in the 79th minute, shooting directly at the goalkeeper.
In the other group match at Shaheed Dhirendranath Dutta Stadium in Comilla, Rahmatganj and Brothers Union played out a goalless draw. Brothers Union, who had defeated Abahani 2–1 in the last Premier League round, dropped points against the historic Puran Dhaka side.
The Federation Cup features ten Premier League clubs split into two groups. Today’s fixtures completed two matches from Group A, with PWPD being the remaining team. Group B’s opening matches had been held in the previous round. The next round of the Federation Cup is scheduled for 2 December, following a pause in domestic action for Bashundhara Kings’ AFC Cup campaign and the national team’s November window.
