KE lose 3-2 to Dhaka Abahani in opener

National champions defeated in Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup

KARACHI: Pakistan domestic champions K-Electric (KE) lost their opening match 3-2 to Dhaka Abahani FC at the Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup in Chittagong on Tuesday.

The four-time Bangladesh domestic champions made life difficult for the travelling side by drawing first blood in the 23rd minute through Wali Faisal.

KE, who were not at all comfortable in their new surroundings, found it difficult to curtail the host’s attack and conceded another goal seven minutes later as Nigerian player Sunday Chizoba found the net in the 30th minute to give the hosts a strong 2-0 lead at half-time.

KE to face Dhaka Abahani FC in first match

The second half saw KE build into the game and following a few attacking manoeuvres, managed to score in the 75th minute through striker Muhammad Rasool.

All momentum that the goal had built was soon lost as KE conceded an own goal three minutes later, and even though striker Sunday Abayomi got one back for KE in the 90th minute through a spot kick, it was too late by then.

KE manager Zabe Khan expressed his frustration at not being able to win, but praised his side for fighting back on away soil.

Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup: No Pakistani participation in Bangladesh

“We could’ve won this match,” KE Manager Zabe Khan told The Express Tribune. “The own goal changed everything and we didn’t play well in the first half. But then we saw some very good football in the second half and Rasool scored a brilliant goal. This was the first match and we’ve taken the positives from it. I’m sure we will come back as a better team in the next match.”

KE will play their next match against India’s Kolkata East Bengal FC in Group B on Thursday.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 21^st, 2015.

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