SK Kamal Football: Chattogram Abahani storm to final

A header by Nigerian forward Chinedu Matthew in the extra time guided former champions and hosts Chattogram Abahani Limited to the final of the Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup Football Tournament eliminating Sree Gokulam Kerala FC of India by 3-2 goals in the first semifinal at floodlit MA Aziz Stadium here on Monday.

The match was locked in 2-2 goals in stipulated 90 minutes.
 
Chattogram Abahani will play the final on Thursday (October 31) at 6pm at the same venue against the winners of the 2nd semifinal between Terengganu FC of Malaysia and Kolkata Mohun Bagan AC, who will meet each other on Tuesday at 7pm at the same. 

Ivorian midfielder Kpehi Jean Charles Didier netted twice for Chattogram Abahani while Ugandan forward Henry Kisekka, Trinidad and Tobago forward Marcus Leric Joseph scored one goal each for Durand Cup champions Gokulam Kerala in the scheduled time .  

Chattogram Abahani got several close chances but unfortunately failed to convert any of those in the high-voltage semifinal. 

In the 29th minute, Kisekka punished Chattogram Abahani by a right-footer volley as Abahani goalkeeper Md Nehal and defender Riyadul Hasan Rafi made a blunder in the danger zone (1-0).

After conceding the goal, hosts Chattogram Abahani put strong pressure over Gokulam Kerala FC but all of their attempts were foiled near the opponents' defence wall. 

They bounced back in the match after the half-time as their medio Charles Didier levelled the margin by a right-footed grounder from the danger zone in the 47th minute (1-1).  

Chattogram Abahani got another close chance to double the margin but Gokulam goalkeeper Ubaid Chono Kadavath blocked a volley taken by Rotkovic Luka in the 63rd minute. 

Marcus Leric Joseph put Indian club ahead again scoring second goal by a left-footed close-range shot, off a Henry Kisekka pass in the 80th minute (2-1). 

Just one minute before the final whistle, Didier restored the parity for Chattogram Abahani again off a cut back by substitute midfielder Kawsar Ali Rabbi in the 89th minute (2-2).  

Chattogram Abahani continued their domination creating some close attempts in the first half of the extra time. 

Just before of the first half of extra time, Chinedu Matthew stunned Gokulam Kerala scoring the match winner for the hosts by a cool header from goalmouth melee, after spoiling the first chance, off another cut back by Kawsar Ali Rabbi in the 104th minute (3-2). 

Henry Kisekka received red card just two minutes before the long whistle.

Muhammed Rashid Kundil, Nathaniel Jude Garcia of Gokulam Kerala while Rahmat Mia and Riyadul Hasan Rafi of Chattogram Abahani Ltd got yellow card in the match. 

Earlier, Chattogram Abahani Ltd reached the semifinals as the Group A champions despite losing their last group match to Kolkata Mohun AC by 1-2 goals after beating defending champions TC Sports Club of the Maldives by 4-1 goals and Young Elephants FC of Laos by 2-0 goals.  

On the other hand, Gokulam Kerala FC smartly reached the semifinals as the unbeaten runners-up of Group B beating Chennai City FC of India by 2-0 goals and BPL Champions Bashundhara Kings of Bangladesh by 3-1 goals after playing goalless draw with Terengganu FC of Malaysia.

Chattogram Abahani: Md Nehal, Jamal Bhuiyan (Plane Petar-106th),  Kpehi Jean Charles Didier, Rotkovic Luka (Sohel Rana-84th), Ariful Islam (Kawsar Ali Rabbi-85th), Chinedu Matthew, Manik Hossan Mollah, Ikbol Jon, Yeasin Arafat, Riyadul Hasan Rafi, Md Rahmat Mia. 

Sree Gokulam Kerala FC: Ubaid Chono Kadavath, Naocha Singh, Andre Dennis Chaz, Mohammed Irshad (Mohamed Salah-114th), Ravanan Dharmaraj (Wungyanyg Muirang-100th), Muhammed Rashid Kundil, Maya Kkannan (Lal Romawia-61st), Sebastian Thangmuansang, Nathaniel Jude Garcia, Marcus Leric Joseph, Henry Kisekka.

Referee: Murad Alzawahreh (Jordan).