Abahani Limited advanced to the Federation Cup final after a hard-fought 4-2 win on penalties over defending champions Bashundhara Kings in the Qualifier-1 match at the Shaheed Dhirendranath Datta Stadium in Cumilla on Tuesday.
The match ended 1-1 after the stipulated and extra-time, forcing a tie-breaker in which 12-time winners Abahani won.
Meanwhile, in the Qualifier-2 match on the same day, Rahmatganj Muslim Friends Society managed a 2-1 win against Brothers Union in extra-time at the Rafiq Uddin Bhuiyan Stadium in Mymensingh.
Kings and Rahmatganj will play each other in the eliminator match in Mymensingh on April 15 for a spot in the April 22 final against Abahani.
In Cumilla, Abahani suffered a blow as the defender Asduzzaman Bablu was sent off with the second yellow card in the 42nd minute, but they held their nerves by keeping Kings at bay for a goalless first half.
Kings went 1-0 up in the 57th minute as their forward Mojibor Rahman Jony scored, capitalising on a defensive mix-up among the two defenders and the keeper Mitul Marma inside the box.
Despite being a man down and trailing, Abahani refused to give up. They returned to the game six minutes from the stipulated time, with substitute forward Arman Foysal Akash scoring the equaliser, following a free-kick from Brazilian midfielder Raphael Augusto.
Raphael鈥檚 35-yard free-kick struck the crossbar, rebounding perfectly to Arman, who grabbed the opportunity and scored from the box.
For the shootout, Kings brought keeper Anisur Rahman Zico in place of Mehedi Hasan Srabon.
In the tie-breaker, Abahani鈥檚 Jafor Iqbal saw his effort saved by Zico, but Rafael Augusto, Emeka, Sabuj and Mohammad Ibrahim all converted.
For Kings, Jonathan Fernandes and Sheikh Morsalin scored, but Mitul saved Rabbi Hossain Rahul鈥檚 shot, and Brazilian debutant Deciel fired over the crossbar.
Abahani goalkeeper Mitul Marma was adjudged the player of the match.
In Mymensingh, after a 1-1 tie in the stipulated time, Gambian midfielder Solomon King Kanform scored the match winner in the 10th minute of the first half of extra time for Rahmatganj.
Brother Union dominated the first half as their Nigerian forward Mfon Udoh scored in the 35th minute, while Rahmatganj鈥檚 Ghanaian forward Samuel Boaten restored the parity in the 63rd minute.