Fans fail to lift MSC

Defying chilly weather, approximately 1000 cheerful supporters turned up at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday to back a rejuvenated Mohammedan SC. They played drums and blew whistles from beginning to the end to cheer on Mohammedan, but the 10-time champions had to be content with a 1-1 draw against Muktijoddha Sangsad in their TVS Federation Cup fixture.

Following casino scandal and the subsequent arrest of director-in-charge Lokman Hosssain Bhuiyan, Mohammedan found themselves in trouble before former players and officials came forward and formed a mediocre side. English coach Sean Lane was entrusted with guiding the Black and Whites, who last won the title in 2009, their 10th title of the curtain-raising tournament.

Though there was no shortage of enthusiasm among the supporters, the team failed to fire. 

Like the supporters, the Mohammedan players, sporting same design jersey of 1980s, took a third-minute lead when Amir Hakim Bappy headed home after Muktijoddha Sangsad defenders failed to clear a cross from Habibur Rahman Sohag.

Three-time champions Muktijoddha Sangsad pressed hard for the equaliser, with Japanese midfielder Uryu Nagata missing the target narrowly form a 20-yard free-kick.

Mohammedan were deprived of a second goal when Sohanur Rahman rattled the crossbar in the 24th minute before Muktijoddha Sangsad hit back to level the margin with a grounder from Shah Alamgir Anik in the 34th minute. 

After resumption, Mohammedan kept their dominance to create a few good chances but the Black and Whites had to leave the field with a share of the spoils with Muktijoddha Sangsad, who saw Sumon Ali rattle the post in the second half.

In the day’s first match, 2012 Federation Cup champions Sheikh Russel KC survived a scare before registering a 1-0 win over promoted Uttar Baridhara Club, who returned to top-flight football after two seasons.

Uttar Baridhara gave a run for the money to Sheikh Russel KC, who however had the last laugh, thanks to a decisive strike from last premier league’s top-scorer Raphael Odoyin. The Nigerian marksman brilliantly fired home from inside the box after controlling a chip from Mohammad Abdullah in the 18th minute of the match.

“We are happy with three points even though the team could not perform according to our expectation,” Sheikh Russel’s assistant coach Masud Parvez Kaiser said.

Uttar Baridhara Club coach Alfaz Ahmed was happy, too, with his charges for their fighting attitude.

“We have taken Federation Cup as a preparatory tournament for the Bangladesh Premier League because most of our players are playing in top-flight for the first time,” the former national team striker said.