Mohammedans fire blank

Hazem Mahmud (second from right), who missed a penalty for Dhaka Mohammedan, watches a midfield tussle between teammate Sharif (R) and Chittagong Mohammedan's Camara during their Citycell B. League match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.Photo: STAR

Touring Chittagong Mohammedan held their more illustrious namesakes from Dhaka to a goalless draw in the Citycell B. League at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
Dhaka Mohammedan were forced to field an understrength side but still, they fluffed a golden chance when Egyptian midfielder Hazem Mahmud failed to score from a second half penalty.
It was the second time in three matches that the Dhaka giants wasted a spotkick after Alamu Bukola's miss against Rahmatganj when Mohammedan lost 1-0.
The local side, who managed a last-gasp 2-1 come-from-behind victory against Farashganj in the previous round, missed defenders Hassan Al Mamun, Rajani, and midfielders Arman Aziz, Faisal Mahmud due to injuries but created two early openings.
However, Maruful Haque's side suffered further setbacks as their top scorer Bukola and young centre-back Wahid Murad limped off the ground before halftime.
The most costly damage was done when six-goal Nigerian striker Bukola walked out with a hamstring injury after just 11 minutes. Also, central defender Saikat played most of the match with a damaged arm as Mohammedan never looked comfortable.
After nine rounds, the Dhaka outfit were at third place with 16 points while the visitors climbed to fourth position with 14 points.
The draw, Dhaka Mohammedan's fourth, ensured that the Federation Cup champions -- who have one match in hand in the first leg -- will not finish in pole position at the end of the first half of the competition with defending champions Abahani and Sheikh Russel sitting on 19 and 17 points respectively.
Leaders Abahani, also struggling with injury problems, will clash Russel, who have two games in hand, in today's crucial match.
In an otherwise calm affair, Bukola set a good chance Robin from the right but the forward placed his short just wide of the post after nine minutes.
Bukola's last action of the match came inside two minutes when he got possession after Chittagong goalkeeper Mamun Khan stopped Robin's header. The Nigerian once again passed the rebound to Robin, whose effort did not have enough bite to beat an alert Mamun.
Liberian midfielder Anthony Doe then forced a fine save by Aminul at the Dhaka goal in the 20th minute as the visitors showed signs of aggression. They had their best opportunity seven minutes from the break when Guinean Rafael Sagno's header on a corner by skipper Kaiser hit the crossbar. Kamal cleared the ball half-heartedly from the line but Ridon, the Chittagong fullback who was roaring at the far post, miskicked his chance before an open goal from two yards.
Mamun then palmed away Sharif's low drive from 20 yards on the stroke of halftime, inspiring the men from Chittagong to lay a series of attacks after resumption.
But it were the hosts who came close to score one minute from the hour. Hazem unleashed a teasing volley from 35 yards but the ball skimmed the upright.
A minute later, Robin gave Dhaka Mohammedan a lifeline when he got inside the area only to be tripped by rival back Shawkat and win a penalty. But Hazem powered his chance from the spot wide of Mamun's left hand post.
Doe and substitute Chowmrin got two late chances for the visitors but fired wide under challenge from the opposition defenders.
Dhaka Mohammedan mounted pressure in the last five minutes but they were not lucky like the matches against Abahani or Farashganj when they got last minute goals.
Yellow cards: Hazem (Dhaka Mohammedan) and Ridon, Shawkat (Ctg Mohammedan).
TEAMS
Dhaka Mohammedan: Aminul, Kamal, Wahid (Jewel Rana), Saikat, Ripon, Nasir, Hazem, Sharif (Emmanuelle), Komol, Robin and Bukola (Rony).
Ctg Mohammedan: Mamun, Dhiman, Pradip, Shawkat, Sharif, Ridon (Lincoln), Kaiser (Chowmrin), Camara, Doe, Rafael and Daulat (Touhid).
Referee: Mizanur Rahman