Abul shows MSC the door

STEALING THE SHOW: Abul Hossain (R) of Brothers Union is ecstatic as he starts celebrating his winning goal while dejected Mohammedan defenders Nazrul (L) and Mahmudul Hassan look on during the second semifinal of the Independence Cup at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday. PHOTO: STAR

There was time when a domestic football final meant an Abahani-Mohammedan clash. But this is not the case anymore as Brothers Union set a final clash with Muktijoddha Sangsad in the Independence Day Gold Cup with a solitary goal win over Mohammedan yesterday.

After Muktijoddha dumped Abahani 2-0 in the first semifinal two days ago, Brothers made sure that both the traditional powerhouses take the spectators' seat in Wednesday's final.

Midfielder Abul Hossain separated the two sides with a 63rd minute strike at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

The men in Orange began brightly in front of a 10,000-strong crowd with tournament's top-scorer Victor Edwards getting past the rival defence after 13 minutes but the Russian forward fired the ball wide of lone keeper.

Skipper Alfaz looked like the only man in the Mohammedan line-up to stand tall against the last year's National and Premier League champions, creating chances with a series of fine centres down the left flank. But the best chance that fell to Nakib in the 15th minute was wasted as the veteran striker's close-range header was foiled by young goalkeeper Tariq.

At the other end, Mohammedan custodian Biplab was continuously tested by long-range efforts. He managed to fist away one by Moroccan medio Hicham Inani but was totally beaten by Khokon's curling drive from 20 yards that came off the crossbar.

The Black and Whites defence looked vulnerable at the wings as both the fullbacks left wide gaps, inspiring Brothers' impressive young fullback Siraji and Edward exploit with speedy runs.

However, the match winner came down the middle when Abul, given space by the central defenders, finished a dazzling solo run with a low drive from 25 yards into the right hand post of Biplab, giving the unsighted goalkeeper no chance to react.

In search of an equaliser, Mohammedan bombarded the rival penalty area with ample crosses for the next ten minutes without any avail as Tariq grew in confidence to leave his post and hold the ball timely. He also inspired a counter attack in the 74th minute, setting Edward with a lone run, but Biplab's legwork denied the Russian's placing shot from six yards for a corner.

Brothers enjoyed superior ball possession in the last 15 minutes but could not widen the margin as Hicham and Edwards both shot wide off the mark while Biplab pulled off another fine save to deny substitute Monwar's volley from the top of the box.

Mohammedan's best chance to get back into the game came ten minutes from time when Matiur Munna met a pass from Korean midfielder Tae Young Kim but the national footballer shot the ball onto a defensive wall inside from the box.

Yellow cards: Parvez Babu (Brothers) and Faisal, Rony (Mohammedan)

TEAMS
Brothers: Tariq, Siraji, Sujan, Jewel Rana, Masud Rana, Parvez Babu, Pranotosh (Monwar), Inani, Abul (Liton), Edward and Khokon.

Mohammedan: Biplab, Arafat (Kamal and Rony), Nazrul, Hassan, Faisal, Munna, Young Kim, Manju (Kaiser), Alfaz, Kim Zeu and Nakib.

Referee: Ramkrishna Ghosh.