Diabate, Morsalin star as Abahani make winning start

Abahani made a flying start to their Federation Cup campaign with a 4–2 victory over Young Men's Fakirerpool Club in a Group A encounter at the Bashundhara Kings Arena on Friday.

Captain Soleymane Diabate and young forward Sheikh Morsalin both struck twice to seal an impressive opening win for the Sky Blues, who had finished runners-up last season.

The game burst into life as early as the fifth minute, when Abahani took the lead from the penalty spot. Diabate latched onto a through pass from Jafar Iqbal and was brought down by the onrushing Fakirerpool goalkeeper. The Malian forward made no mistake from the spot, calmly converting to make it 1 - 0.

Fakirerpool almost found a quick response in the 14th minute. Mustafa Kaharba's low drive from outside the box beat goalkeeper Pritom but ricocheted off the post, much to Abahani's relief.

Abahani doubled their advantage in the 33rd minute, thanks to a moment of brilliance from Morsalin. Collecting the ball from midfield, he exchanged a slick one-two with Diabate before finding the net with a precise right-footed shot.

Six minutes later, Diabate grabbed his second of the match-- again from the penalty spot -- after being hauled down inside the box. By this point, Abahani were firmly in control, though Al Amin squandered two promising opportunities to extend the lead.

Fakirerpool reduced the deficit in the 57th minute, when Shanto Tudu unleashed a powerful right-footed strike from outside the area to make it 3–1.

Abahani restored their three-goal cushion in the 63rd minute, as Al Amin made amends for earlier misses by setting up Morsalin, who coolly slotted home his second goal of the day.

The underdogs showed resilience, however, pulling one back in the 69th minute through Mohammad Riyad, who finished neatly from Bin Ibrahim's low cross.

Abahani could have added a fifth in the 79th minute, but Morsalin missed the chance to complete his hattrick after failing to connect properly with a cross from Sayem.

In the day's other Group A fixture, Rahmatganj and Brothers Union played out a goalless draw.