TDS advance to quarters

The Daily Star (TDS) qualified for the last eight of the Kool-BSJA Media Cup after playing out a tempestuous 1-1 draw against Kaler Kantha at the BFF artificial turf yesterday.

Spurred on by the presence of their very own Zinedine Zidane -- sports editor Bishwajit Roy -- TDS got off to a fantastic start. Just minutes into the game, the majestic Samama Rahman was fouled 10 yards into the opposition half and hammered home the resulting free-kick.

Kaler Kantha came close to equalising, but goalkeeper Osama Rahman, who missed the opening match as he could not wake up on time, kept them at bay.

The promising Nabid Yeasin nearly carved out another for TDS, nutmegging a helpless last defender on the edge of the box before feeding the glory-hunting Mazhar Uddin, who was parked in front of the opposition keeper as usual, with the goal gaping.

Unfortunately, Mazhar -- who was presumably already thinking up his next Facebook post as the ball rolled towards him -- swung too late and only hit air. He would get another chance late on after another sublime solo run from centre-back Samama, but again Mazhar, one-on-one, floundered and shot wide.

Orchid Chakma and Sakeb Subhan did well at the back alongside the experienced Fazlur Rahman, but TDS, who subbed on goalkeeper Rumman Kalam, conceded with three minutes to go to set up a nervy ending.

Sheikh Mehedi Morshed and Abdullah Al Mehedi also stepped up, playing crucial roles in midfield.