Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dhaka: Abahani Limited Dhaka of Bangladesh and India’s Mohun Bagan rounded off their 2017 AFC Cup Group E campaign with a 1-1 draw at Bangabandhu National Stadium on Wednesday.
After a heavy downpour delayed the game for the best part of an hour shortly after kick-off, the teams returned to the pitch and the hosts went in front on nine minutes when Sunday Chizoba’s sweetly struck volley from 18 yards gave goalkeeper Paul Shilton no chance.
Abahani could have doubled their advantage just minutes later but Jonathan Brown side-footed wide from the spot after Nigerian Chizoba was upended by Bikramjeet Singh.
The lively Chizoba saw another effort cleared off the line with half an hour remaining, before the visitors were awarded a penalty in the final 10 minutes after Mamun Miah brought down Jeje Lalpekhlua and Katsumi Yusa made no mistake in striking home as honours ended even.
The result means debutants Abahani finished bottom of the Group E standings, three points adrift of third-placed Mohun Bagan, while 2016 runners-up JSW Bengaluru of India scraped through to the Inter-Zone Semi-finals as table-toppers after a 1-0 victory over Maziya Sports & Recreation of the Maldives.