Muktis rain goals in opener

Mohammedan and Team BJMC players jostle for possession during their match of the Federation Cup at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday. The match ended goalless.Photo: STAR

Title contenders Muktijoddha Sangsad got off to a rip-roaring start in the Federation Cup as they ran up a cricket score but fallen giants Mohammedan stumbled on the opening day at two separate venues yesterday.
National midfielder Mamunul Islam slammed the tournament's first hattrick to power Muktijoddha Sangsad to a massive 10-0 win over ten-man Cox's City FC at the Birshreshtha Shaheed Mostafa Kamal Stadium while Mohammedan were held to a goalless draw by newcomers Team BJMC at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.
The result at Kamalapur was even more amazing as Muktijoddha were deprived of the services of suspended strikers Zahid Hasan Emily, Mithun Chowdhury and Nigerian Sunday Chizoba. But Shafiqul Islam Manik's charges dominated the show from the outset to take a comfortable 6-0 lead in the first half before adding four more goals in the second half to deliver a clear message that they are one of the real contenders for the season's curtain raiser. The 10-0 scoreline represents the biggest victory margin in the history of the Federation Cup. Muktijoddha had previously beat Bangladesh Navy 8-1 in the qualifying rounds of last season's Federation Cup.
Apart from Mamunul's treble, Rajon Mia, Ariful Islam, Rokonuzzaman Kanchan, Shakil Ahmed, Moroccan Samir Omari, Nasirul Islam and Firoz Mahmud Titu netted one goal each to celebrate the return of coach Shafiqul Islam Manik, who joined the All Reds this season after a six-year break.
After being reduced to 10 men in the 62nd minute with goalkeeper Rajon Barua sent-off for a foul on Samir Omari, Cox's City conceded a further three goals for a bitter experience of top-level football.
But while it was raining goals at Kamalapur, away at the BNS, it was an insipid draw to start proceedings for Mohammedan's former Nigerian star Emeka as well as Team BJMC's who returned to top-flight football after 29 years.
The focus was on how Emeka's charges would play against newcomers Team BJMC but the Black and Whites disappointed all and sundry even failing to capitalize on Team BJMC going a man down after 75 minutes.
Team BJMC featuring veteran war-horses like Alfaz Ahmed, Abul Hossain, Ashraful Karim, and Abdullah Parvez dominated the first half and came close to a lead in the 14th minute but Alfaz Ahmed's well-judged lob to the far corner of the net was brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Titumir Chowdhury.
Both sides launched a series of sporadic attacks but none could capitalize on a pitch wet from the un-seasonal drizzle.
After failing to rope in quality local booters, the Mohammedan officials promised to sign up some good foreign performers but all four of their Nigerian recruits failed to impress some 1,000 spectators. Coach Emeka was even forced to withdraw forward Aly Chi Anthony.
“It is too early to judge the foreign recruits after the first match as I myself wasn't impressed with the performance of the team and even the boys are also not satisfied with their own showing,” said Emeka after having a short meeting with the players following the game.
“But I hope the team will play better in the second match and I am now thinking of the next match rather than thinking of qualifying for the quarterfinals.”
However, Emeka's counterpart, Team BJMC coach Zakaria Babu was satisfied with his boys' performance as they snatched a valuable point against Moha-mmedan.
“We had good control on the ball but we did not get goals due to poor finishing and I hope the boys will play better in the next matches,” said a confident Babu.