Scores not settled

BEGINNING OF THE GOAL: An Ujjal (L) header sails towards Arif Khan Joy (not in picture), who opened Abahani's account against Muktijoddha Sangsad with another header during their match at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday. PHOTO: STAR

Abahani Krira Chakra had a score to settle with Muk-tijoddha Sangsad Krira Chakra after their much-pub-licised rivalry over national custodian Aminul during the inter-club booters' transfer.

But at the end of the first big match of the Tibet 19th Federation Cup football tournament honours were shared in a 1-1 draw at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday.

Although the result of the crucial match confirmed Abahani's place in the last four, however the popular Dhanmondi outfit now have to face their bitter rivals Mohammedan Sporting Club in the first semifinal tomorrow.

The Dhaka derby will kick off at 2.15pm at the same venue.

Muktijoddha on the other hand will have a relatively easier opponent in a youthful Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra on Tuesday.

There was plenty of hype before the sky blues took on the reds, but the quality of football hardly did justice to the billing.

Abahani drew first blood through Arif Khan Joy in the ninth minute only for Saiful to restore parity for Muktijoddha four minutes before the break.

But apart from two first-half goals the clash of the giants frustrated the smallish crowd.

Abahani started the game at a blistering pace with their Brazilian recruit Sandro and promising striker Mehdi Hasan Uzzal making a couple of early openings. But the lack of a quality finisher was once again exposed as their frontline failed to occupy the right place to put away those dangerous crosses from Sandro.

The opening goal however came from an unusual source. Joy, better known as a workhorse during his days with Mohammedan, relieved the Dhanmondi band heading home a Masud Rana flag-kick.

The shaven-headed Joy put the ball in past Aminul after an Ujjal back header came his way.

A minute before Aminul was called into action when he brilliantly fisted away a bending free-kick taken from the top of the box by Sandro.

Aminul also saved his side twice by coming out of his area with the Muktijoddha defenders caught napping. He was lucky to escape a booking after handling the ball outside the box.

The reds, who were understandably relaxed being a semifinalist going into the match, however flexed their muscles only after the rude awakening.

They took the attack to Abahani in the lasts ten minutes of the first half with Saiful heading home a Motiur Munna cross in the 41st minute.

The second half was not worth describing, as both sides seemed satisfied with what they had achieved in the first 45 minutes.

Even then Muktijoddha gave Abahani a late scare by creating two distinctive scoring chances. Their Nigerian recruit Gerald had Abahani keeper Nizam at his mercy in the 80th minute but fired wide of the mark.

Then Moni wasted a great chance of ending as a hero when the national striker blasted the ball past the side post from inside the box.

Yellow cards: Moni (Muktij-oddha), Pranatosh (Abahani)

TEAMS

Muktijoddha: Aminul, Hasan Al Mamun, Prodip, Riyad, Harry, Lajuk, Matiur Munna, Kabir Hossain (Papel), Jerald, Saiful (Toe) and Moni.

Abahani: Nizam, Masud Rana, Kingshuk, Sila Fode, Mahmudul Hasan, Rakib, Joy, Sandro, Ujjal, Parvez (Wali Faisal) and Pranatosh.

Referee: Abdur Rakib.

DULL DRAW

In another match, Arambagh Krira Sangsad drew goalless with Rahmatganj Muslim Friends Society at the Bir Sheshthra Shaheed Mustafa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur.

It turned into a clash of no-hopers once news of Abahani's qualification in the semifinals filtered through.

It was Arambagh's first point after two defeats. For Rahmatganj it was their second point in the tournament after their creditable draw against Abahani.