With this win, ND Heroes moved into the semi-finals with 10 points. The other team of the group, ONGC FC, Mumbai thrashed Kolkata-outfit Peerless Sports club 4-0 in the first game of the day to confirm their place in the semis. They will face the top two teams from Group B, which will be decided on Thursday.

ND Heroes looked a different bunch from what they were thought to be, and it was only in the dying moments of the game that they really got their act together and pulled off a thrilling victory. They failed to look like DSA champions and like a team that is scheduled to play in the second division of the I- League.

There were hardly any moves and looked as though the team was overconfident, having already made it to the semis. The players were walking and were hardly able to keep ball possession. The team, who usually attack, adopted a defensive policy. “The players thought they were in Goa for a holiday,” ND Heroes coach Chima Okorie said after the match.

Ahbab players, on the other hand, were more attacking from the start, and kept ND Heroes’ custodian Moshin Khan busy with their regular attacks. It was in the 28th minute that Ahbab scored with striker Pradeep Kumar having no problem fending off the Heroes defender marking him. A gentle touch to the far post gave his team the lead.

At 0-1, the Heroes — low on confidence — kept bungling. The wingers failed to support the strikers and the mid-fielders hardly got a chance to implement themselves on the field.

It was in the 86th minute that Baba Tunde gave Heroes the much-needed confidence. A shot from him was misjudged by Ahbab custodian Mohd. Atif to hand Heroes the equaliser.

Heroes went on the rampage after the scores were leveled. In injury time, Tunde was at it again and headed a low cross by Stanley for a team victory.