Sports
Five-star Abahani humiliate Manang
Manang, whose quest for first victory continued until the fifth match, conceded twice in the first half and three after the intervalSports Bureau
Abahani Limited Dhaka of Bangladesh ran riot on their home ground as Nepal’s Manang Marshyangdi Club suffered a 5-0 drubbing in the return leg to crash out from group stage of the AFC Cup at the Bangabandhu Stadium on Wednesday.
Manang, whose quest for first victory continued until the fifth match, conceded twice in the first half and three after the interval in Asia’s second-tier inter country club football tournament. In the first leg on April 3, Manang had lost 1-0.
The outcome of the penultimate Group ‘E’ match leaves Manang tottering at the bottom of the standings with two points in the four-team table. Abahani took sole lead with 10 points after playing five matches and they could be guaranteed a place in the next round if they play draw against Minerva Punjab of India in their last group match on June 26.
Abahani took the match under control from the onset and hit the target in the 11th minute through Nabin Ziban. They went into the break with 2-0 lead after Haitian forward Kervens Belfort scored in his solo effort.
Jewel Rana scored in the 63rd before Sunday Chizoba made it 4-0 in the 75th. Mamanul Islam sealed the comprehensive victory in the fading moments to the joy of local supporters.
The other game of the same group between Indian outfits Minerva Punjab and Chennaiyin FC ended on a 1-1 stalemate. Chennaiyin, who are scheduled to visit Manang in their next match, are second in the standings with eight points while Minerva are third with five points. All four teams will play their last match on June 26.