Mohammedan SC progressed to the quarterfinal of the Independence Cup football tournament along with archrivals Abahani Limited from Group 3 after the former defeated Arambagh KS 4-1 at Bangabandhu National Stadium on Tuesday. Mohammedan skipper Zahid Hasan Ameli notched a brace while Nigerian midfielder Damien Chigozie and Touhidul Alam Sobuj grabbed one apiece for the victors after their defender Mintu Sheikh scored an own goal.
Ameli destroyed a glorious chance of a hattrick in the last moments of the game.
Mohammedan forward Wahed Ahmed wasted a glorious opportunity on a one-on-one situation in the fourth minute after receiving a long ball from Zahid Hossain from the right flank.
Mintu Sheikh shocked his side in the very next minute when his clearance off a Kanchon cross went into his own net.
However, Mohammedan returned to the game in a few minutes as Damien Chigozie placed a corner from Zahid Hossain home.
Ameli put Mohammedan ahead in the 41st minute after receiving a cross from Zahid. Ameli’s left-footed effort from the middle of the box went past the net.
Towhidul Alam Sobuj joined in the goalfest in the 57th minute by tapping home a low cross provided by Arup Baidya.
Ameli made the scoreline 4-1 in the 59th minute as teammate Zahid provided an angular cross and the Moahmmedan captain thumped the ball into the far post.
Meanwhile in the second game of the day, Muktijoddha also confirmed their last eight spot alongside Sheikh Jamal DC with a 6-1 rout over Uttar Baridhara.
Newcomers Uttar Baridhara have been ruled out from the tournament with two consecutive defeats as they were earlier thrashed by Sheikh Jamal in their first game.
Muktijoddha’s Nigerian attacking trio of Sunday Chizoba, Nkwocha Kingsley and Eleta Kingsley turned in a mesmerising display with Chizoba registering a hat-trick after Uttar Baridhara’s Lucky Divine put his side ahead in the eighth minute.
Nigerian forward Chizoba though equalised in the 14th minute and Eleta gave Muktijoddha a 2-1 lead barely a minute later.
Nkwocha made it 3-1 in the 18th minute while Chizoba scored his second and third in the 59th and 62nd minute respectively.
Nkwocha grabbed his second in the 67th minute and completed the comprehensive scoreline.
The Muktis will face Sheikh Jamal in their final group game on Thursday.
-With New Age input
