Muktis break MSC hearts

Muktijoddha's Nigerian striker Sunday Chizoba (L) is about to take fall as his teammates rush to congratulate him after his goal against Mohammedan in their Federation Cup Group A match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.Photo: STAR

Muktijoddha Sangsad ousted Mohammedan to confirm their quarterfinal berth after handing the Black and Whites a 3-1 defeat in their Group A encounter at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
Elsewhere, Team BJMC thrashed Cox's City FC 6-0 at the Birshreshtha Shaheed Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur to book their last eight place from the same group.
At the BNS, Mohammedan were in a must-win situation to book a place in the last eight and the Black and Whites got off to a good start against the star-studded Muktijoddha Sangsad, who needed just a point to secure a quarterfinal place.
Faced with a must-win situation for qualification, Mohammedan got off to a good start against the star-studded Muktijoddha at the BNS as they dominated the first passage of play and kept their back-line solid. They came close to taking the lead twice inside the first 12 minutes but Muktijoddha goalkeeper Mamun Khan spoiled both attacks from Nigerian Willkok and Habibur Rahman Shohag to keep the Black and Whites at bay.
But as the match proceeded, they lost the momentum and Muktjoddha took the lead against the run of play in the 36th minute. Former Mohammedan striker Sunday Chizoba ran down the right to cut the ball back for onrushing striker Zahid Hasan Emily, who laid his body down to connect with the low cut-back and score under the advancing goalkeeper Titumir Chowdhury.
After taking the lead, Muktijoddha Sangsad gained in confidence and almost snatched the second goal four minutes later but Sunday's delayed attempt from inside the box was brilliantly saved by Titumir Chowdhury.
Mohammedan coach Emeka brought in three changes to regain the momentum while his counterpart Shafiqul Islam Manik, who initially formed the Mohammedan squad before leaving for Muktijoddha Sangsad, sent on striker Mithun Chowdhury in place of Zahid Hasan Emily. The slightly-built striker made his presence felt immediately as he went for goal, but his shot narrowly missed the target.
Mithun, playing his second match after being exempted from five-match ban, found the back of the net moments later as he broke the off-side trap before slotting in a right-footed grounder in the 56th minute.
Mithun was also the source of the third goal as he whipped a well-judged cross from the right for Sunday, who finished clinically to make it 3-0 and take the game away from Mohammedan.
Mohammedan though found a consolation goal in the 65th minute when Willkok, availing a long-ball from compatriot Jonson, sent the ball over goalkeeper Mamun Khan from inside the box.
At Kamalapur, Team BJMC, who returned to top-flight football after 29 years, produced a superb performance to emerge as Group A champions with two wins and a draw. Muktijoddha finished behind Team BJMC with six points.
Team BJMC dominated their one-sided encounter and took a commendable 4-0 lead before the breather. They added two more goals in the second half to add salt to the wounds of the second-tier professional league side.
The newcomers, BJMC, went ahead with a seventh-minute goal from Guinean forward Bangoura Ismail who doubled the lead in the 37th minute before Abdullah Parvez and Nigerian hitman Ajangun Abdul Rasheed widened the margin scoring in the 40th and 42nd minutes respectively.
After the breather, Nigerian Felix and veteran Alfaz Ahmed struck in the 58th and 69th minutes to complete the rout.