The six-time Bangladesh Premier League Champions Dhaka Abahani’s hope of playing in the group stage of AFC Cup 2022 ended after conceding a 1-3 goals defeat to Mohun Bagan in an away match of South Asia Zone play-off round at the crowd-packed Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata Tuesday night.

Mohun Bagan’s Australian forward David Williams completed a hat-trick scoring three goals in the 6th, 29th and 85th minutes while Abahani’s Costa Rican forward Daniel Colindres reduced the gap in the 61st minute. 

On Tuesday, Mohun Bagan took an early lead while their Australian forward David Williams sent the ball home with an impressive right-footed flying shot, off a cross from Finnish midfielder Joni Kauko from the right flank of the box (1-0).

Williams struck his second goal with a left-footed volley from the danger zone while defender Prabir Das sent him a long cross from the left wing far away from the box (2-0).

Abahani reduced the margin 1-2 when their Costa Rican forward Colindres buried the ball into the net with a long right-footer nearer the box, off a pass from midfielder Rakib Hossain.

But Williams sealed the fate for the ISL outfits Mohun Bagan scoring his third goal from a sudden counter-attack.

Both sides missed several close chances throughout the match. Mohun Bagan’s Williams, Liston Colaco and Kiyan Nassiri missed the target at least five times in the 36th, 65th, 79th and 81st minute while Abahani’s Jewel shot off the target in the 67th minute and Rakib was fisted by Mohun Bagan goalkeeper Amrinder Singh in the 77th minute.