Muktijoddha Sangsad ensured top spot in Group B after eking out a 1-0 win over holders Sheikh Russell KC while Team BJMC also sealed their place as Group C champions after a 2-1 win against Brothers Union in the Federation Cup on Tuesday.
Nigerian marksman Eleta Kingsley notched the all-important goal for Muktijoddha at the Bangabandhu National Stadium while another Nigerian Samson Iliasu and veteran striker Abdullah Al Parvez scored for Team BJMC at the same venue to take them to the summit of Group C.
Brothers’ Nigerian acquisition Victor Anthony grabbed the consolation goal from the penalty spot.
In the first game of the day, Muktijoddha, formed without a single national footballer, proved that they were on equal footing compared to their more illustrious opponents.
As the game got underway, the first chance of the tie fell Muktijoddha’s way in the 19th minute when striker Biplob shot straight at the sidebar after Maruf Ahmed’s freekick was parried away by a Sheikh Russell defender and the ball fell kindly at the feet of Biplob who was unlucky.
Sheikh Russell introduced a French midfielder, Eric Roger, for the very first time in Bangladesh, however, the Frenchman’s addition failed to inspire his side.
Eric’s only notable contribution came in the 44th minute when he threaded a pass through to his teammate, Jamaican Ricardo Cousins, in the penalty box with a lovely lob but Cousins’ weak shot went wide of the target.
After resumption, Muktijoddha pressed forward regularly and the breakthrough finally arrived in the 64th minute when Eleta broke into the penalty area after receiving a pass from Maruf and Eleta made no mistake as he fired the shot past Sheikh Russell goalkeeper Biplob Bhattacharjee.
Sheikh Russell came close to equalising on a number of occasions including the final minute of regulation time when a brilliant, gliding header from substitute forward Robin from an ensuing freekick was brilliantly saved by Muktijoddha custodian Aminul.
Meanwhile in the other game of the day, Team BJMC came back strongly from the 2-2 draw in their opening game against Bangladesh Police as the former defeated Brothers 2-1 to seal a quarterfinal spot.
Muktijoddha will face Brothers in the third quarterfinal on November 30 while Team BJMC will lock horns with Sheikh Russell in the last quarterfinal on December 1.
The line-up of the first two quarterfinals was earlier decided on Monday. Group A leaders Sheikh Jamal DC will take on Mohammedan SC on Thursday while Abahani Limited will clash with Feni Soccer Club on Friday.
The two semi-finals will take place on December 3 and 4 respectively. The final is scheduled for December 6.
-With New Age input
