Kings, Sk Jamal into last eight

Bashundhara Kings and Sheikh Jamal completed the quarterfinal line-up of the Federation Cup yesterday after both teams played out 1-1 draws against NoFel SC and Mohammedan respectively.

With a second draw from three games, Bashundhara emerged as Group D champions at the Bangabandhu National Stadium. Sheikh Jamal, equal with the leaders on five points, advanced as runners-up. Meanwhile, 10-time champions Mohammedan finished with four points and were eliminated from the group stage as they had been in 2016.

Mohammedan came into their match against three-time champions Sheikh Jamal needing an outright win to secure a place in the last eight after big spenders Bashundhara Kings had ensured their quarterfinal berth following an unimpressive draw against newcomers NoFeL in the day's earlier game.

The Black and Whites got off to a great start, taking a 34th-minute lead through Gambian forward Landing Darboe. However, the falling giants -- who also failed to cross the group-stage hurdle in the season-ending Independence Cup in 2017 -- surrendered their lead three minutes into the second half as Argentinian hitman Luciano Araya Parez found himself unmarked and drove home a chip from Solomon King.

The match could still have gone either way as both teams created a few chances but neither could cash in and had to be content with a stalemate.

In the day's earlier match, Bashundhara Kings, who had put up a brilliant display against Mohammedan in their first match, failed to showcase their talents for a second successive match.

A draw would have been good enough for the Kings to be crowned champions, but a dominant win against lightweights NoFeL was very much expected, especially as the latter had suffered two heavy defeats.

However, NoFeL sent chills down Bashundhara Kings' spine by repeatedly exposing their weak defence, especially in the second half when Ashraful Islam cancelled out a 36th-minute strike from Masuk Mia Jonny. The diminutive winger nearly struck again a minute later, but was denied by Bashundhara keeper Anisur Rahman Zico.

A heated exchange with NoFeL coach Kamal Babu after the match was evidence of his counterpart Oscar Brozon's disappointment.