Abahani beat Mohammedan 3-0 in Federation Cup Football

Jewel Rana scored a brace as Abahani Limited, Dhaka blew their arch-rival Mohammedan Sporting Club away by 3-0 goals in the opening group D match of the Federation Cup Football held today at Bangabandhu National Stadium here.

Apart from Jewel Rana's two goals, Afghan defender Masiho Saigani added other one goal to ensure the sky blue Dhanmondi outfit Abahani's emphatic victory.

Mohammedan lost to Abahani in the abandoned Premier League last season. The black and white supporters hoped that this time their favourite team would take the revenge in this match but the cruel reality did not allow them to fulfil the expectation. The former Federation Cup champions Abahani proved that they are a much stronger team in pen and paper in the field than Mohammedan.

Abahani went ahead in the 41st minute when defender Masih Saighani sent the ball home with a perfect header from a close range utilizing a throw from Raihan Hasan (1-0).

Jewel Rana doubled the lead for Abahani in the 45th minute with a gentle header after capitalizing a back volley from Saighani (2-0).

After the resumption, Jewel Rana sealed the victory scoring his second and third for Abahani Limited in the 53rd minute with a gentle push to complete the Abahani's tally before Saighani did the spadework giving a brilliant throw to Rana (3-0).

Despite falling behind by two goals in the first half, Mohammedan fans were hoping their team would return to the match but after a 3-0 margin in the second half, the black and white fans gave up all the hope. There was no further goal in the rest of the proceeding.

Mohammedan SC will play their next match against Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad Krira Chakra on December 27 while Abahani Limited meet Muktijoddha Sangsad Krira Chakra on December 30 at the same venue.