Reigning champions Mohammedan Sporting Club registered a huge 5-1 win against mighty Chittagong Abahani in their Independence Cup match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Sunday despite losing their hope of reaching into semi-final. Mohammedan, who earned only three points from their first three matches, made a goal-fest with a brace of Guinean forward Islamil Bangoura and one each from Biplu Rahman, Masuk Mia Jony and Eusuf Sifat.
Chittagong Abahani, who made three straight wins in their first three matches, could find a consolation goal from a penalty kick of Zahid Hossain.
Chittagong side had a great chance to go ahead in the 12th minute when
Haitian forward Leonel Saint Preux made a quick effort but his placing shot was cleared by Mohammedan defender Biswanath Ghosh from the goal-line.
But Ismael Bangoura put the Black and Whites ahead in the 21st minute with a nice header following a corner of Masuk Mia Jony.
Midfielder Biplu Ahmed doubled the lead 11 minutes later slotting home past Chittagong Abahani keeper Ashraful Islam Rana from inside the box.
Chittagong Abahani captain Zahid Hossain reduced the margin in the 37th minute converting a penalty after defender Didarul Alam brought Leonel Preux down inside the box.
Bangoura found his second goal of the game in the five minute into the second half placing the ball home from the goal mouth melee following a cut back from Miplu.
Jony made it 4-1 with an amazing solo effort from almost halfway in the 65th minute as the national midfielder skipped past two Abahani players and dribbled past two others before breaking the penalty area and calmly placed the ball home past Rana.
Substitute winger Sifat sealed the victory with a stoppage time strike placing home following a Malek’s cross from the right.
Mohammedan remained in the fourth position with six points from four matches while Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club, Chittagong Abahani and Muktijoddha Sangshad Krira Chakra have nine points each in Group A.
Meanwhile, in the day’s first match at the same venue, a 10-man Abahani Limited were held to a goalless draw against Arambagh Krira Sangha in the Group B Match.
It was second draw for the Sky Blue in three matches but they still have a good chance to qualify in the last-fours as they remained second in the Group B points table with five points.
Arambagh concluded the campaign with four draw from five matches.
RESULTS
Mohammedan 5 (Ismail Bangoura 21, 50, Biplu 32, Jony 65, Eusuf Sifat 90+) v Chittagong Abahani
1 (Zahid Hossain 37)
***
Abahani Limited 0 v Arambagh KS 0
-With New Age input
