An action-packed stoppage time
Defending champions Chittagong Abahani got off to a slow start in their Independence Cup campaign as they squandered the lead to play out a 1-1 draw against newcomers Saif SC at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
Substitute Mashuk Mia Jonny put Chittagong Abahani ahead two minutes into the second half added time before Jewel Rana converted from the spot in the very next minute to tie the opening match, which began 25 minutes behind schedule due to late arrival of the chief guest, information minister Hasanul Haq Inu.
The Independence Cup is said to be the stage for local footballers to prove themselves since foreign recruits are restricted from participating, but the players produced quite a frustrating performance as neither side could even string together more than five passes.
“Actually the players could not play their natural game due to fatigue as we have been playing domestic football for nearly one year. The performance could have been better had we been given a week's break before the start of the tournament,” said Saif defender Ariful Islam.
On the other hand, Chittagong Abahani coach Julfiker Mahmud Mintu blamed the players' abilities for the poor show.
“Neither side could establish possession throughout the match because this group of players don't have such skill,” Mahmud opined.
It seemed both teams were playing without a purpose, with the ball mostly confined to the midfield until the three-minute stoppage time.
Chittagong Abahani did, however, play comparatively better than Saif, who defeated the port-city outfit 3-0 in their second encounter of the Bangladesh Premier League, and created a few scoring opportunities but the forwards failed to cash in.
Aside from the last gasp goals, the sole other notable attack in the game came in the very third minute when Saif winger Mohammad Ibrahim drove a low shot to the near post from outside the box, but only to have it blocked by Chittagong Abahani goalkeeper Ashraful Islam.
Mintu's charges could have taken the lead in regulation time had midfielders Kawshik Barua and Abdullah, defenders Redwan Bin Rahman Rakin and Sushanta Tripura not wasted their chances either side of the break.
The port-city outfit eventually broke the deadlock two minutes into stoppage time when a weak clearance from a Saif player fell to the feet of Chittagong Jonny, who mustered a volley from the edge of the box to find the back of the net. One minute later though, Saif's Jewel converted a penalty after winger Ibrahim was brought down inside the box by Chittagong Abahani defenders Nurul Nayeem Faisal and Sushanta Tripura.
Meanwhile, former champions Farashganj stunned Brothers Union with a 2-1 defeat to all but confirm a quarterfinal berth in the day's second match. The 2011 champions will need a draw against Muktijoddha Sangsad tomorrow to seal a last-eight berth.
Farhad Mona put Farashganj ahead in the 22nd minute with a tap-in after drive from Mohammad Alamgir was parried by goalkeeper Sujon Chowdhury. Mona doubled Farashganj's lead in the 84th minute with a powerful drive after being set up by defender Al Amin. Brothers forward Forward Bishal Das reduced the margin in the 89th minute with a header.
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