Muktijoddha join Russell in semis with 2-0 win over Feni Soccer
Defending champions Abahani Limited were eliminated from the group stage of the Super Cup after being held to a goalless draw by Sheikh Russell in their
last group A match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Tuesday.
The draw, their third in the tournament in as many matches, marked the end of Abahani’s trophyless season and did a big favour to Muktijoddha Sangsad KC, who moved to the semi-final thanks to their 2-0 win over Feni Soccer Club earlier in the first match of the day.
Abahani failed to qualify for the semi-final in any of the three tournaments they played this season and also finished third in the Bangladesh Premier League in one of their most disastrous seasons till date.
Muktijoddha meanwhile made it to their third semi-final of the season after the Federation Cup and the Independence Cup.
Sheikh Russell finished as champions of group A with seven points while Muktijoddha grabbed second position with four points.
Two second half goals by Zahed Parvez and Mohammad Ibrahim gave Muktijoddha a comfortable win over their Feni rivals, but they had to wait until the end of the second match to know their fate.
After a barren first-half, Zahed Parvez put Muktijoddha ahead in the 48th minute as his right-footed strike from 20 yards hit the top of the left corner of the net.
Muktijoddha doubled the lead in injury time when substitute midfielder Mohammed Ibrahim scored from the middle of the penalty area.
Meanwhile in the second match, Abahani were under pressure to win the game but failed to produce any goals against Russell, who were very relaxed having already qualified for the last four.
Abahani though dominated the field but their forward line could not even create any significant scoring chances.
In the 22nd minute midfielder Meshu’s curled free-kick rebounded from the crosspiece, which could be counted as their best chance of the game.
Enamul ran down the right flank in the 31st minute and delivered a cross for Towhidul, but Russell custodian Shohel punched the ball away before it met Towhidul.
A blunder by Abahani defender Vashani in the 39th minute saw the ball falling into Mithun’s feet who took a powerful shot but Abahani goalkeeper Sohel saved the goal to deny Russell a certain lead.
In the 52nd minute, both the sides were reduced to 10 men while Enamul of Abahani and Mamun Mia of Sheikh Russell were sent off after a incident between them.
Enamul received a straight red card while
Mamun Miah received his second yellow card of the day.
In an otherwise dull affair, Russell got their second scoring opportunity when Zahid outpaced two defenders in the 65th minute to break into the left of the penalty area but his shot only hit the side netting.
-With New Age input
