BJMC, Brothers into last eight

Team BJMC and Brothers Union moved into the quarterfinals of Modhumoti Bank Independence Cup football tournament with a contrast results at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
BJMC came from behind to emerge Group A champions with a 3-2 win over Feni Soccer, who finished group runners-up while Brothers Union held defending champions Sheikh Russel KC to a goalless draw to finish behind Group D champions Sheikh Russel.
BJMC needed at least a draw to confirm the quarterfinals against Feni Soccer, who came into the match having ensured the last eight berths in the previous match and BJMC held their nerve to come up with a win despite trailing by two goals, thanks to a brace from Guinean hitman Ismael Bangoura and another from Abdullah Al Parvez.
Feni being boosted with three Gambian players went ahead in the 24th minute when midfielder Ali Hasan availing a through-pass from Akbar Hossain Ridon entered into the box from the left and beat goalkeeper Mohammad Karim with an angular shot before Ridon doubled the margin with a close-range header on half-hour mark.
After going 2-0 up, Feni Soccer looked a bit of relaxed and BJMC did not make a mistake to grab the opportunity and reimbursed one goal just three minutes later.
With BJMC pressing hard for pulling back goals, Guinean hitman Ismael Bangoura darted into the box but was badly tackled by defender Akramuzzaman to award BJMC a penalty kick and then Bangoura converted from the spot on 33 minutes.
After resumption, the margin of Feni Soccer should have been 4-1 up but it was Gambian Kabba Jobe who squandered two sitters within ten minutes with opponent goalkeeper Karim to beat.
Having survived from two close-calls, BJMC showed the mettle with left-footed Abdullah Parvez playing key roles in midfield as the lad from Narayanganj provided a well-judged free-kick for Bangoura, who headed home to level the margin 2-2 in the 63rd minute.
Then Parvez brilliantly beat Feni Soccer goalkeeper Ujjal with an overhead shot from 25 yards in the 76th minute as Ujjal was standing on the edge of the six-yard box.
Afterwards, BJMC squandered two more scoring chances but they were happy to leave the field with a victory as well as avoid holds Sheikh Russel in the quarterfinal clash.
Under the floodlight, Brothers also needed a draw to see them in the last eight and the Gopibagh-based outfit from the outset really put up a good show and left the field with a creditable draw against holders Sheikh Russel, who had earlier confirmed their quarterfinal berth beating Chittagong Abahani 3-0 in their first match.