Dhaka Abahani Ltd reached the semifinals of the ongoing Independence Cup 2023 after beating Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club Ltd in a nail-biting tie-breaker by 3(1)-2(1) goals of the second quarterfinal at the Bashundhara Kings Arena Sunday night. 

Sheikh Jamal’s Brazilian midfielder Jonathan da Silveira Fernandes Reis and defender Rajib Hossain scored but Uzbek defender Shokhrukhbek Kholmatov, defender Shakil Hossain, forward Foysal Ahmed Fahim wasted their chances.

On the other hand, Abahani’s Brazilian midfielder Jonathan da Silveira Fernandes Reis, his compatriot Washington Brandao dos Santos, Iranian defender Milad Sheykh Soleimani netted one each while Nigerian forward Emeka Ogbugh and midfielder Rabiul Hasan wasted their chances. 

All the drama started when the knockout stage game rolled on the additional time of 30 minutes as both giants – Abahani and Sheikh Jamal – failed to score in the stipulated time of 90 minutes. 

Abahani's Jonathan scored the first goal of the match in the 94th minute, but Sheikh Jamal's Higor Leite scored an equaliser in the 107th minute.  

However, Abahani’s team manager Nazrul Islam conceded a red card due to using foul words towards the referee during the match. 

Earlier this day, Rahamatganj MFS beat Police FC by 2-1 goals to confirm their spot for the semifinals in the day’s first quarterfinal match at the same venue. 

Colombian forward Edis Ibarguen Garcia handed over a lead to Police FC in the 24th minute but Ghanaian forward Samuel Mensah Konney netted a brace for Rahamatganj in the 29th and 31st minutes. 

BDST: 2243 HRS, DEC 03, 2023
MSK