Dhaka, April 16 (BDNEWS) – Muktijoddha Sangsad KS clinched the Independence Day Gold Cup Football title with a 2-0 victory over Brothers Union in the final at Bangabandhu National Stadium Saturday.
Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia witnessed the final and distributed trophies among the teams.
Works minister Mirza Abbas, Dhaka city mayor Sadeque Hossain, prime minister's political secretary Haris Chowdhury, state minister for youth and sports Fazlur Rahman, state minister for liberation war affairs Prof. Rezaul Karim, BFF president SA Sultan, MP and other officials also witnessed the match.
Muktijoddha Sangsad dedicated the trophy to former footballer Monem Munna, who died last month after a prolonged illness.
Nigerian striker Paul and Saiful struck for the freedom fighter team.
Muktijoddha Sangsad Saturday looked totally different as the federation cup champions took control of the match from the beginning with domination in the mid-field.
Brothers Union were unimpressive as their futile movements without their Russian striker Edward Victor, who has been suffering illness due to humid condition of the weather, could not tear the Mukti's defense.
And, frequently long-range shots by striker Abul of Brothers went into vain before creating a combined attack.
Muktis play-maker Arman Mian made the difference between the two sides. He along Hasan Al Mamun, first appearance in the meet, frequently created panic among Brothers boys consolidating their moves from the left flank.
However, Brothers Union had the first attack with striker Khokon in the 12th minute, but country's number one custodian Aminul of Muktijoddha gripped the ball diving his left side.
Aminul again saved his side in the 24th minute at the cost of corner when a Pranotosh placing shot went off touching Aminul's hand.
Nigerian recruit Paul brought blood into the Muktis vein when he sent the ball Brothers home utilising a return-ball in the last moment of the first half.
Medio Pappu took a shot on a usual long throw-in by Belal from the right flank, but the ball returned to an alert Paul hitting Brothers fellow defender, and the striker (Paul) made no mistake in finding Brothers net.
Muktijoddha Sangsad widened their margin in the 60th minute as substitute Saiful Islam Saif put the ball into opponent net after dodging past Brothers custodian Tareq.
Before the second goal, Muktijoddha Sangsad deprived of a certain goal in the 50th minute as Brothers Union defender Sujan made a goalline save off Kanchan attempt.
BDNEWS/2019 hrs
