Star fail to shine

Although title-contenders The Daily Star finished unbeaten that was little consolation as they still made a premature exit from the Bashundhara-DRU football tournament after being held to a goalless draw against Manabzamin at the handball court next to the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

In an often scrappy encounter, the leading English daily team which needed a victory in order to move into the quarterfinals, had only one chance to break the deadlock late in the second half but Pinaki Roy's scotching shot crashed on to the post only to return to play.

Even the hard-working Morshed Ali Khan could not conjure any magic as he had done against Dainik Dinkal earlier.

The Bangla tabloid's better difference enabled it to join Ajker Kagoj and Bhorer Dak in the last eight.

Ajker Kagoj clinched the Group C title with an all-win record beating New Age 1-0 while Bhorer Dak emerged Group H winners after a scoreless draw with Bhorer Kagoj.

Earlier, Dainik Jugantor, Ekushey Television (ETV) and ABAS booked their places in the knockout phase.