Abahani Limited have been eliminated from the Federation Cup following a narrow defeat to PWD in their final Group A fixture at the Bashundhara Kings Arena. The decisive moment came in the 66th minute when Abdullah scored the only goal of the match, securing victory for PWD and ending Abahani’s campaign at the group stage.
The match was a must-win encounter for Abahani, who required victory to keep their hopes of reaching the semi-finals alive. However, despite their efforts, they were unable to respond after conceding and ultimately finished the group stage with 4 points from 4 matches. Last season’s runners-up thus bowed out of the competition earlier than expected.
On the same day, Rahmatganj MFS played out a goalless draw against Feni-based Fokirerpul Youngmen’s Club in Cumilla. The result proved sufficient for the Old Dhaka side to progress to the semi-finals, as they finished level on 6 points with PWD but advanced due to a superior goal difference.
Group A had already seen Brothers Union secure top position with 10 points prior to the final round of fixtures. The remaining semi-final qualification spot therefore came down to Abahani, Rahmatganj, and PWD. Abahani entered the match on 4 points from three games, while Rahmatganj held 5 points and PWD had 6 points.
Abahani’s defeat meant they could not improve their standing, remaining on 4 points after four matches. PWD, despite their victory, were dependent on the outcome of the Cumilla fixture. Rahmatganj’s draw ensured they matched PWD on points and advanced by virtue of goal difference, leaving PWD eliminated alongside Abahani.
In Group B, Bashundhara Kings and Mohammedan Sporting Club had already secured their semi-final places ahead of the final round of group matches, confirming their dominance in the group stage.
The knockout stage schedule has now been confirmed. On 5 May, an elimination match will take place between Mohammedan and Rahmatganj, the runners-up from Groups B and A respectively. On the same day, Group A winners Brothers Union will face Group B winners Bashundhara Kings, with the winner progressing directly to the final. The Federation Cup final is scheduled for 19 May.
Federation Cup Semi-final Line-up
| Group | Position | Team | Points / Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group A | Champions | Brothers Union | 10 points |
| Group A | Runners-up | Rahmatganj MFS | 6 points (goal difference) |
| Group B | Champions | Bashundhara Kings | Qualified |
| Group B | Runners-up | Mohammedan SC | Qualified |
The group stage thus concluded with Abahani and PWD exiting the competition, while Rahmatganj progressed to the knockout phase alongside three other confirmed semi-finalists.