Sk Jamal, Abahani reach semis

Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club topped Group A of the Grameenphone Super Cup with a lack lustre goalless draw against Dhaka Abahani at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Wednesday.

Abahani striker Awudu Ibrahim (L) is under hard marking from Sheikh Jamal
defender Ariful Islam during their Super Cup

The draw saw Sheikh Jamal at the top of the group with four points while Dhaka Abahani finished runners-up with two points. The new powerhouse thrashed Brothers Union 6-1 earlier. Dhaka Abahani played another goalless draw with Brothers Union in their previous match. It meant that Abahani secured a last four slot without scoring a goal.

Sheikh Jamal who was confirmed of a semifinal slot even if they had lost the match were little worried about winning rather concentrated on not conceding a goal. Abahani on the other hand started with an attacking attitude which gradually faded away.

Abahani’s best chance came in the 16th minute of the match when Ghanaian forward Twum Frank pouncing on an Awudu Ibrahim through pass found Jamal custodian Aminul alone under the bar palmed away the Ibrahim’s placing.

Twum Frank missed the flight of an Awudu cross in the 26th minute which was curved form the right hand flag much to the relief of Aminul who was stranded in the near post.

Jamal came close in the 35th minute but winger Shakil fed by Staefan Loga Bouga with a nice chip blasted over the crosspiece from the middle of the box.

Abahani midfielder Uzzal lashed on a clearance off a Robin corner on the 60th minute but saw his volley miss the crosspiece by few inches.

As the match proceeded it became a drab affair as both the teams took a relaxed approach till the final whistle.

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