Dhaka Abahani’s valiant effort came undone against a stronger, more physically imposing Muras United, as the Kyrgyz Premier League dominator ran out 2-0 winners after a tense encounter.
Maruful Haque’s men held their own for the entire first half, keeping the game goalless despite Muras’ well-drilled attacking play. The opening stages were one-way traffic, with the home side dictating possession and probing through patient build-up from the back. Their pressing game allowed Abahani little time on the ball, forcing hurried clearances and rushed passes.
Wave after wave of Muras pressure was met by a defiant Mitul Marma in the Abahani goal. He pulled off several crucial saves to keep his side in contention. In the 17th minute, Souleymane Diabate’s strike brushed the crossbar and went over, offering Abahani a let-off. Six minutes later, a clever through ball from Hasan Murad found Al-Amin, but the chance slipped away.
Abahani almost stole the lead in the 31st minute when Diabate’s effort deflected kindly to Ibrahim, yet the finish was lacking. Another opportunity fell to Ibrahim on 40 minutes inside the box, but a poor decision meant it went begging. With space inside the opposition defence hard to come by, Sheikh Morsalin tried his luck from distance in the 42nd minute.
Abahani began in a 4-3-3 formation, but in dealing with Muras’ relentless forward play, they shifted between 5-4-1 and 4-4-2 to bolster their backline. The tactical adjustments worked in the first half, but the second period brought a different story.
Just two minutes after the restart, the breakthrough arrived. Andriy Batsula delivered a pinpoint cross, and Atai Dzhumashev rose highest to head past Mitul. The gulf in height and physical presence between the two teams became increasingly evident as the match wore on, with Muras looking to exploit it at every opportunity. Abahani had another scare in the 51st minute when Maksat’s left-footed strike whistled just wide.
Maruful Haque made his first change on 58 minutes, introducing Zafar Iqbal for Ibrahim. Though not in his natural position, Al-Amin worked tirelessly on the right flank, helping to create chances. Kazem Shah and Sheikh Morsalin frequently swapped roles in attacking midfield, offering Abahani some control in the centre of the pitch.
Double substitutions came in the 67th minute, with Mirajul replacing Quazeem Shah and Enamul Islam coming on for Al-Amin. In the 72nd minute, Diabate’s pass found space in Zone 14, but the resulting left-footed shot was narrowly off target. With eight minutes left, Papun Singh replaced the tiring Shakil Hossain, who had run himself into the ground since the hour mark.
Abahani pushed forward more aggressively in the latter stages, but the physical and tactical edge of Muras’ side featuring nine Ukrainian players in their starting XI kept them in control. The height and build advantage was telling in aerial duels and in holding possession under pressure.
Still, the Bangladesh Premier League side battled until the final whistle. In stoppage time, however, Muras struck again. In the second minute of added time, Zhumashov broke away on the counter-attack to slot home his second of the match, sealing a 2-0 victory.
Against one of the top teams in the Kyrgyz Premier League, Abahani’s performance was spirited and organised, even in defeat. The scoreline may have gone against them, but the fight they showed on foreign soil was worthy of respect.