Awudu on song

Ibrahim Awudu from Ghana netted a hat-trick in Abahani's final match

The first AFC President's Cup game played this afternoon between Abahani and Don Bosco went pretty much as expected, with the experienced team from Bangladesh, Abahani, running out 4-1 winners. Don Bosco go home without any points but were on top of the world for a few moments early in the game when they took the lead, netting their 1st goal of the competition. A howler from Abahani's keeper Rahman Zia who miscued his attempted clearance left Don Bosco's Nipuna Bandara with the simple task of rolling the ball into the empty net to set off scenes of short-lived joy. The reason, Abahani levelled within exactly sixty seconds. Man of the match Ibrahim Awudu rolled the ball to Hossain Rony and he made no mistake form 15 yards to level the scores. It was all Abahani to be honest, Don Bosco were game but lacked the know-how to really put the Bangladesh team under pressure and it was only a matter of time before the Sri Lankans went behind. Six minutes after the break, Awudu whacked one in from close range on his way to a 2nd half hat-trick. He fired another unstoppable shot past keeper Ajith Kumara on 61 minutes and completed his trio of goals from the penalty spot nine minutes from time. The last goal was a bit strange. Kumara handled outside the penalty area and also clipped Awudu as he went through, the striker fell inside the box and referee Tseytlin from Uzbek pointed to the spot on advice from his assistant referee. Awudu dusted himself off to ease home his spot-kick and take a well-earned rest and applause from the crowd. It was all over bar the shouting, with Abahani recording their first win, 4-1.

Abahani looking relaxed before their final game, a 4-1 win over Don Bosco

Don Bosco took the lead for the 1st time but eventually went down 4-1