Abahani Limited Exits Federation Cup Group Stage for First Time in Seven Years

In a significant sporting upset, Abahani Limited Dhaka has been eliminated from the group stage of the Federation Cup following a narrow 1–0 defeat to PWD Sports Club. The match, contested on a rain-slicked pitch at the Bashundhara Kings Arena on 28 April 2026, marks the first time since the 2018–2019 season that the traditional powerhouse has failed to progress beyond the initial round of the tournament.

Despite maintaining an aggressive offensive posture throughout the encounter, the record twelve-time champions were unable to convert their dominance into goals. The definitive moment of the match arrived in the second half, courtesy of a clinical finish by former national team midfielder Mohammad Abdullah, which ultimately sealed Abahani’s exit from the competition.

Match Analysis: Frustration in the Final Third

Abahani Limited commenced the fixture with high intensity, seeking an early advantage to secure their knockout aspirations. In the 10th minute, midfielder Kazem Shah unleashed a powerful strike that appeared goal-bound, only to be denied by an agile save from PWD goalkeeper Sarwar Jahan, who conceded a corner.

The pressure continued to mount, and in the 22nd minute, Abahani squandered a golden opportunity to take the lead. Al-Amin, having found himself unmarked inside the penalty area following a precise pass, attempted a delicate chip over the advancing goalkeeper. However, Sarwar Jahan anticipated the manoeuvre, exiting his line to execute a sliding block that neutralised the threat.

Shortly before the half-hour mark, Sheikh Morshalin attempted to break the deadlock with a right-footed shot from inside the box. Once again, Sarwar Jahan proved equal to the task, diving to parry the ball away and leaving the Abahani frontline visibly frustrated. As the first half concluded, the scoreline remained goalless despite Abahani’s persistent territorial advantage.

The Decisive Blow and Late Desperation

The second half saw a continuation of Abahani’s offensive efforts, featuring key players such as Asadul Islam and the prolific Malian forward Souleymane Diabate. However, the tactical discipline of PWD Sports Club eventually yielded results on the counter-attack.

In the 65th minute, the deadlock was finally broken. Following a pass from Ali Uzair, Abu Sayeed successfully outmanoeuvred defender Sushanto Tripura near the byline before delivering a low cutback into the danger zone. Mohammad Abdullah, positioned perfectly within the box, struck a precise placing shot that nutmegged the Abahani goalkeeper and settled into the back of the net.

Trailing by a goal, Abahani launched a desperate late assault during injury time. Souleymane Diabate saw a goal-bound effort blocked by a resilient PWD defence. Moments later, the Malian striker directed a header towards the goal, but the ball drifted agonisingly wide of the post. The final whistle confirmed a historic victory for PWD and a premature departure for the Sky Blues.

Group Standings and Knockout Qualification

Abahani Limited concluded their Group B campaign in a disappointing fourth position, amassing only 4 points from four matches, consisting of a single victory and one draw. This performance stands in stark contrast to their current standing in the Bangladesh Football Premier League, where they occupy the second position.

The final hierarchy of the group was settled by concurrent results elsewhere:

• Brothers Union: Secured the top spot and advanced to the knockout phase with 10 points.

• Rahmatganj MFS: Progressed as the group runners-up following a goalless draw against Fakirerpool Young Men’s Club at the Shahid Dhirendranath Datta Stadium in Cumilla. This result took their tally to a sufficient level to bypass their rivals.

• PWD Sports Club: Despite their victory over Abahani bringing them to 6 points, they were ultimately eliminated from contention as Rahmatganj secured the necessary point to finish second.

The elimination of Abahani Limited, a club that has historically dominated the domestic circuit, represents a major shift in the current competitive landscape of Bangladeshi club football. The team will now have to shift its entire focus back to the league campaign as the Federation Cup proceeds without its most decorated participant.