DHAKA, April 19, 2022 (BSS)- Six times Bangladesh Premier League champions Abahani Limited exit from the AFC Cup qualifying playoff as they went down a 1-3 goal defeat to local heavy weights ATK Mohun Bagan Football Club of Kolkata held today (Tuesday) at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.

The day’s win means ATK Mohun Bagan sealed their place of AFC Cup group D stage along with Gokulam Kerala of India, BPL champions Bashundhara Kings and Maziya Sports and Recreation of Maldives. The group D of the AFC Cup main round will begin from May 18.

Australian David Williams scored his first hat-trick of the season to steer his side prevail over Abahani and secured the group league stage of the tournament’s main round.

Australian David Williams gave the host team an early 2-0 lead in the first half and scored a wonderful hat-trick in the second half to seal the tie for his team.

Despite training 0-2 goal in the first half, the second half saw a different Abahani Limited as the Dhanmondi outfit constantly harassed the Kolkata defense to commit mistakes and thereby scored a brilliant goal as Costa Rican Daniel reduced the margin scoring a lone goal in the 61st minute.

Earlier, Mohun Bagan took just six minute to take the lead as Williams sent the ball home off a cross from Joni Kauko at left wing and he doubled the lead scoring the second goal in the 29th minute of the match. Williams completed his hat-trick goal in the 85th minute of the match, securing his side magnificent victory on the day.