Dhaka, March 25 (BDNEWS) – Muktijoddha Sangsad KC moved into the final of the Independence Day Gold Cup Football tournament with a 2-0 victory over Abahani Limited in the first semi-final at Bangabandhu National Stadium Friday.
Ghanaian Charles Ghansa and Saifur Rahman Moni struck one goal each for the winners.
Muktijoddha Sangsad KC deserved the day's victory as the freedom fighters played an organised football despite absence of their playmaker Arman Ali, Nigerian striker Paul and country's number one custodian Aminul Islam.
Moves of Abahani Limited, who struggled to qualify for semis against Farashganj SC, were scattered in the first half.
But, the Dhanmondi outfit failed to create any half chances as Muktijoddha's defender Rajani Kanta, Rwandan Harry and Belal Ahmed tacked the Abahani shaky strikers well. Besides, Muktis young custodian Titumir Chowdhury Titu was the reliable one at the Muktis goalpost in absence of goalie Aminul Islam.
About seven thousand holiday spectators were frustrated to see the performance of Abahani as their play was not up to mark. Abahani's little known defenders were mostly busy to clear the trademark throw-in of Muktis Belal, who played vital roles in previous triumphs.
Muktijoddha could have taken a lead in the 44th minute, but striker Khanchan failed to connect a chip by Moni from a handshake distance of the post.
With the barren first half, Abahani Limited made some attacks but their efforts went in vain, as all of those were harmless moves.
Muktijoddha deprived of a certain goal in the 65th minute as a header of Khanchan off a Belal throw-in returned to play after hitting Abahani's sidebar of goalpost.
Muktijoddha Sangsad found the first goal when attacking midfielder Ghansa past Abahani custodian Nizam away in the 75th minute with a left-footer from inside the box after dancing past defender Shawkat.
Seven minutes later, stand-in-captain Moni confirmed the Muktijoddha's victory from an angular shot after dodging past defender Shipon from inside the box.
BDNEWS/2036 hrs
