It is often said that the spectators have turned their backs on domestic football, especially since the Bangladesh Premier League matches and other tournaments have been held in front of almost empty stadiums year after year. However, Tuesday's pulsating Federation Cup final in Cumilla between the country's two popular outfits -- Mohammedan SC and Abahani -- has proved the notion wrong.

Even though the Shaheed Dhirendranath Datta Stadium was not fully packed on a working day, the number of spectators that flocked to the ground still drew attention, especially for the way the fans of both outfits braved the scorching heat to celebrate and cheer every action of the game between two traditional foes, who faced off in the Federation Cup final after 14 years. 

It brought back memories of the bygone days seeing how supporters of Mohammedan and Abahani donned the jersey of their beloved clubs, chanted throughout the match, and backed their teams by beating drums and playing the flutes. One of the fans even appeared to be using a hand mic to lead the followers of the whole gallery. 

Abahani supporters seemed a step ahead of their Mohammedan counterparts, lighting up blue and yellow smoke flares which only proved that the spectators' hunger for watching exciting football duels has not yet died.    

It was also inspiring that the younger spectators, who did not see the madness that centred the Mohammedan-Abahani matches during the golden age, turned up in a significant number alongside the football fanatics who still reminisce about those memorable days.

A rejuvenated Sheikh Jamal DC tried to make their own fan base after returning to top-flight football in 2010. Their attempt did not go in vain as fans in great numbers flocked to see their matches for the first two seasons. But with the decline of Sheikh Jamal, even those days are now in a distant past. 

Now-defunct Saif SC also walked on the same path as Sheikh Jamal while the new powerhouse Bashundhara Kings are also trying to create their own fan base by distributing jerseys and providing other facilities to the fans. However, it can be questioned if any outfit can ever get such boisterous fan bases as Mohammedan and Abahani.   

Mohammedan SC and Abahani thanked their supporters for backing them in the Federation Cup final on their respective social media pages, with the majority of fans promising to be with their beloved clubs in the coming days. Even some Mohammedan and Abahani fans left positive comments on their rivals' Facebook page.

"It seemed as if I saw a glimpse of the country's football from the last century. Thanks to favourite opponent Mohammedan for bringing back the childhood memory," Ekhlasur Rahman Polash commented after Abahani uploaded a post reading: "Today, Abahani supporters brought the passion seen at home ground to a venue outside of Dhaka. We are grateful to the supporters who kept the gallery in a frenzy the whole time, but also sorry for not being able to keep the smiles on the fans' faces at the end of the match. But we promise to come back stronger for all the crazy Abahani fans, whose support is our inspiration." 

"How a football match can deliver so many thrills in every moment. It was tough to understand whether it was a match in Bangladesh or one in Europe. Finally, the thrilling eight-goal game ended 4-2 on penalties. Congratulations champions Mohammedan," wrote Mohammad Raz on Mohammedan SC's Facebook post congratulating the team and supporters for the triumph.