Brothers thru' to last 8

Brothers Union booked a quarterfinal berth in the Walton Independence Cup while dumping Muktijoddha Sangsad out of the competition with a 1-0 victory against the latter at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

Bishal Das scored the only goal of the game in the 20th minute to put the All Oranges in the last eight behind Farashganj, who had already sealed their qualification as the top team from Group B.

Brothers Union came into this fixture with a difficult task as they needed nothing less than a win to progress after having lost their opening match against Farashganj. Muktijoddha, on the other hand, would have progressed with a draw as they had held the relegated Farashganj to a 1-1 draw in their first match.

But it was Brothers Union, with their backs against the wall, who took the lead early when Bishal headed home a corner from midfielder Mithu Bhuiyan. This was Bishal's second goal in two matches following his late strike during their 2-1 defeat against Farashganj on Tuesday. 

Muktijoddha, who finished the premier league in 11th position, applied heavy pressure in the second half but were unlucky to not find an equaliser. Amirul Islam's effort at near post on 70 minutes was fisted away by Brothers Union goalkeeper Sujon Chowdhury before the same striker's header missed the target by inches eight minutes later.

Brothers Union defender Yusuf Ali Khan made a goalline clearance on 85 minute before Bishal received his marching orders for a second yellow card in the 90th minute, but his side held on for a precious win to seal their last-eight berth.

The tournament will go into a three-day break for the AFC Cup preliminary stage fixture between Saif SC and TC Sports of Maldives on January 23.