Colindres treble powers Kings into semis

World Cupper Daniel Colindres was on fire again as his treble powered Bashundhara Kings into to the semifinals of the Walton Federation Cup with an imposing 5-1 win over Team BJMC in the last quarterfinal at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

Colindres failed to replicate his opening match's magnificent performance against Mohammedan SC in the following matches as the newcomers were held to successive draws by Sheikh Jamal DC and newcomers NoFel SC in the group stages. But the 33-year-old marksman showed his scoring skill once again yesterday while left-winger Mohammad Ibrahim drew attention with perfect crosses which set up three separate players for getting on the scoresheet.

Colindres was named the player-of-the-match but the 33-year-old was not willing to talk to media after a last-minute scuffle with BJMC defender Mohammad Al Amin. However, the Costa Rican told one of his teammates on way to the dressing room “I'm hungry,” apparently indicating his hunger for more goals. 

“There are a lot of good players in our side but I can't hide the fact that Colindres today played superbly. He is a very important player for us, especially in the first half when he scored three goals. But I would sincerely want to highlight one player who played in the left flank and he [Mohammad Ibrahim] is played at a similar level to Colindres's in today's match,” said Bashundhara Kings coach Oscar Bruzon, who brought some changes in the squad.

“Three stoppers were solid as they spoiled the counter-attacks well and were good in shape compared to the group-stage matches. We expect to carry this final-stage sprint into the next matches as we had ups and downs in the group stages,” said the Spaniard, whose side will take on Sheikh Russel KC on Nov 20, one day after holders Abahani take on Sheikh Jamal DC in the first semifinal.

Bashundhara Kings did not give any space to Team BJMC, who missed the services of Uzbek striker Otabek, the scorer of the tournament's first hat-trick against Brothers Union which had powered BJMC into the quarterfinals.

Colindres opened the scoring by firing home a cross from Ibrahim in the second minute before scoring two more goals in the ninth and 15th minutes.

After resumption, substitutes Towhidul Alam Subuz and Matin Mia added two more goals in the 70th and 79th minutes after availing the crosses from Ibrahim. Three minutes from time, Nigerian Samson Iliasu scored a consolation goal from the spot for Team BJMC.

Bashundhara                5-1           BJMC

Colindres 2', 9', 15',                       Iliasu 87'

Sabuz 70', Matin 79'