Dhaka, March 22 (BDNEWS) – Muktijoddha Sangsad KC became Group A champions in the Independence Day Gold Cup Football Tournament when they handed a 3-1 defeat to Mohammedan SC in the group last match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium Tuesday.
In the day's same group match, Sheikh Russel KC earned a hard fought solitary goal victory over Arambagan KS at the same venue.
Though, Muktijoddha Sangsad KC and Mohammedan SC confirmed their semi-final berths earlier, the day's match was a position-deciding one along with a prestigious match for both sides.
Mohammedan SC continued their organising football against Muktijoddha Sangsad, but the luck was not with the popular black and whit outfits as opposition captain Aminul Islam stood as ironman under the Muktis goalpost.
In the match, Muktijoddha Sangsad went ahead in the 11th minute as an usual long throw-in of right-stopper Belal found the Mohammedan net when custodian surprisingly slipped the ball.
Four minutes later, Khanchan, who scored in previous two matches, widened the Muktis margin to head home following another long throw-in of Belal from the left flank.
Mukis Nigerian striker Paul stunned the Mohammedan's custodian Biplob, who is country's number two custodian, sending the ball into the net from 40-yard in the 34th minute.
Alfaz could have reduced the Mohammedan margin, but the veteran striker put the ball outside the post after getting the open net in the 43rd minute.
The Reds went to the breather with a comfortable 3-0 lead. The Motijheel outfit had a huge pressure after the lemon break and reimbursed a goal in the 74th minute when Korean forward Zeu nodded home following a Kaiser right flack cross.
But, Muktis medio Arman engaged in altercation with referee Abdur Rakib, who awarded him the second yellow card and subsequently sent him off the field.
After that Mohammedan launched few attacks against the 10-man Muktijoddha, but the country's number one custodian Aminul Islam resisted all the attacks to the disappointment of the fans and officials of Mohammedan SC.
Sheikh Russel KC tasted the first victory after losing two consecutive matches against Mohammedan SC and Muktijoddha Sangsad KC.
With the barren first half, Russel's substitute striker Bulbul scored the match-winner in the 62nd minute utilizing a left flank cross of Moraccan playmaker Igir Mohammed.
BDNEWS/2010 hrs
