F'ganj's double delight

Kabir Hossain, captain of Farashganj Sporting Club, jumps to celebrate his lucky goal against Muktijoddha Sangsad Krira Chakra during their Citycell Federation Cup Group A match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.Photo: STAR

Farashganj Sporting Club had two reasons to celebrate yesterday at the Bangabandhu National Stadium. First, it was their clinical 2-0 victory over Muktijoddha Sangsad Krira Chakra in their last Group A match and second, and most importantly, the win helped them avoid giants Mohammedan Sporting Club in the upcoming quarterfinals.
They will face Arambagh Krira Sangha while Muktijoddha will take on the might of the Black & Whites in the last eight. That remained uncertain before the game started at 6:00pm but the result of the day's first game, Khulna Abahani's 1-0 win over Dhaka Wanderers at the Gazipur Stadium, made sure the two teams fighting it out at the Big Bowl would make it to the quarterfinals.
Farashganj emerged Group A champions with an all-win record securing nine points from three outings and Muktijoddha Sangsad had four in their kitty. From the Gazipur match, the results put Khulna Abahani (three points) above Wanderers (one point) as they ended their campaign.
Back to the day's game and it was club captain Kabir Hossain who gave Farashganj the lead as early as the ninth minute.
The move started when Muktijoddha's Nigerian recruit Henry conceded a free-kick on the right side and was also booked for his challenge on Khokon.
The resultant free-kick, delivered by Yousuf, was cleared by the Muktijoddha defence initially but Kabir's low drive took a wicked deflection from Bipul and it comprehensively deceived goalkeeper Nizam on his left.
Farashganj kept possession but Muktijoddha had a golden chance to equalise in the 28th minute when Kanchan failed to connect with an open net gaping in front of him. Four minutes later, Enamul Haque was presented with a gilt-edged opportunity when the Muktijoddha goalie's clearance fell on his feet. He dodged past Rajib but his shot slammed into the bar.
No more chances came for either sides in the first-half but after the break, Enamul made it 2-0 with his brilliant goal in the 83rd minute after he beat both Henry and Nizam to find the net with a superb shot.
And it was never Muktijoddha's day as substitute Walid hit the crossbar after coming on in place of Kanchan in the final minute.
Out in Gazipur, it was Tariqul Islam's 57th minute strike that put Khulna Abahani's solitary goal victory.
In the previous Group A matches, Farashganj outplayed Khulna Abahani 3-0 and Dhaka Wanderers Club 1-0 while Muktijoddha beat the Khulna side 1-0 and played out a one-all draw with Wanderers.
In today's Group C matches, Victoria Sporting Club take on BKSP at the Gazipur Stadium and Sheikh Russell Krira Chakra face Brothers Union at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.
TEAMS
MUKTIJODDHA: Nizam, Biplob, Rajib, Bipul, Henry, Azmul, Yousuf, Nwakanma, Kanchan (Walid), Tajul, Rana (Masud).
FARASHGANJ: Al-Amin, Ramzan, Uttam, Kaiser, Ansari, Kabir, Khokon, Enamul, Mamun, Amirul, Yousuf (Mamun).
Yellow card: Henry (Muktijoddha).
Referee: Tayeb Hossain.