Dhaka, Aug 2 (bdnews24.com) - Nigerian striker Sunday Chizoba's hat-trick propelled Mohammedan Sporting Club Limited into the final of the Tk 10 million Grameenphone Super Cup with a 4-2 win over Bangladesh League champions Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club on Tuesday.
They now await the winners of Wednesday's second semi-final between Dhaka Abahani Limited and Muktijoddha Sangsad Krira Chakra in the August 6 final.
While the script suggested that Sheikh Jamal would start favourites, but it was evident from the start that the traditional Black and Whites settled into a rhythm. They dominated possession and kept their fancied opponents on the backfoot.
The pressure paid off when Jamal defender Nasir pulled Towhid down in the middle of the box in the 14th minute and Sunday sent Aminul the wrong way from the spot.
Sunday, who was a continuous threat whenever he got the ball, scored the second in the 34th minute after Shariful fed the Nigerian with a long ball from the right flank and Nasir missed the flight allowing Sunday to take control and he chipped the ball over the onrushing Aminul giving Mohammedan a 2-0 half-time lead.
Nche Francis, the other Nigerian forward, scored the third in the 66th minute after Amani put a nice through pass from the left flank and Francis put the ball in the far corner of the net with a diagonal shot.
And just when it all looked over for Sheikh Jamal, they showed their fighting spirit striking twice within two minutes.
Fist Stefan Loga Bouga reduced the margin in the 74th minute beating Al Hasan with a strong right footer off a Komol cross and 60 seconds later Komol's attempted cross hit Mohammedan's Nigerian defender Baybeck's hand and Shujon converted the penalty with a powerful effort.
However, Sunday ended any hopes Sheikh Jamal had of maybe taking the game into extra-time when he completed his hat-trick after Aminul fisted corner in the middle of the box and unmarked Sunday blasted a left footer into the top of the net.
bdnews24.com/lg/2124h