The goalless stalemate in the Super-Six match frustrated a 7,000-strong crowd at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur as both sides failed to produce the sparks under sultry conditions.

National League runners-up Mohammedan, who pushed their collection to three points after the draw, now must beat Chittagong Mohammedan on Sunday in their final outing to qualify for the last four.

Abahani, who came to the match with a place in the semis secured, remain second in the six-team table with eight points, two behind holders Muktijoddha Sangsad.

The result will disappoint Mohammedan as they had enjoyed superior ball possession and created more openings. But it was Sky Blues who got the first chance when Ujjal cut back a low cross from the right in the eighth minute with Joy and Khokon both failing to make contact as the ball ran across the unguarded post.

Minutes later Mohammedan were denied by Abahani custodian Nizam who parried a long-range effort from Pappu.

Abahani survived a close call in the 28th minute when centre-back Shawkat made a goalline save to Farhad's flick on a mis-directed shot by Khokon after Kaiser had done the spadework from the right flank.

Mohammedan were dominant after the breather and could have gone ahead in spectacular style but Sentu's dipping volley from 25-metres out went inches over the post.

The Motijheel outfit kept the pressure on but Nizam, who was later adjudged man-of-the-match, made a string of saves to spare the blushes of a tired looking Abahani.

Abahani got their best opportunity when Cameroonian midfielder Ndem sent Ujjal free inside the box but the young striker in his haste shot the ball wide off the far post. Ndem also threatened to score halfway through the second session but he mistimed a Ujjal cross from a handshaking distance.

"My players played above their strength and pushed a stronger opposition hard today. But it is unfortunate not to score after dominating the match. I know we have no option but to win our last match and it will be a tough task," said Mohammedan coach Abul Hossain

Abahani coach Amlesh Sen said his side had adopted a defensive strategy in the match but should have taken the opportunities that came their way.

"Mohammedan created more chances but we got the better openings. Our forwards should have converted those.

'We had to be defensive because a few of our booters were carrying injuries. We also knew that our rivals would go all out as they were under pressure to be in the semifinals. But this kind of weather does not allow any team to be attacking throughout the 90 minutes," the former national midfielder said.

Yellow cards: Wali, Ujjal (Abahani) and Farhad (Mohammedan)

TEAMS
ABAHANI: Nizam, Hassan, Siraji (Aminul, 85th minute), Shawkat, Masud Rana, Joy, Pranotosh (Nayan, 67th), Ndem, Parvez (Wali, 44th), Khokon and Ujjal.

MOHAMMEDAN: Tareq, Shuvra, Jewel Rana, Faisal, Kaiser (Anwar, 65th), Pappu, Sentu, Khokon (Faisal Mahmud, 46th), Amin Rana (Rony, 87th), Manju and Farhad.

Referee: Ibrahim Nesar.