Reigning champions Mohammedan Sporting Club’s dreams of reaching a semi-final place in the Independence Cup were dashed when they lost to Brothers Union 2-3 in their last group match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Thursday. With the loss, Mohammedan were ruled out of the competition with six points from five matches while Brothers also completed their campaign with the same number of points.
Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club have already confirmed their semi-final berth from the Group A with 12 points from four games while Chittagong Abahani and Muktijoddha Sangsad will tussle for the other place in the last four from the group.
Young striker Mannaf Rabby scored a brace for Brothers while Ghanaian forward Awudu Ibrahim scored the winner before Towdhidul Alam Sabuz and Biplu Ahmed levelled the margin.
In a barren first half when both the side wasted a series of chances, Mannaf Rabby gave Brothers a sucker punch by scoring two goals in three minutes.
Rabby struck his first in the 51st minute by heading home a cross from Ibrahim.
Two minutes later, Rabby struck again when he hit the far post of the net from the right edge of the box.
Mohammedan reduced the margin in the 54th minute through forward Tawhidul Alam Shabuz, who capitalised on the loose display of the opponents before placing the ball home.
Mohammedan levelled the margin in the 65th minute when Shabuz provided a square pass to unmark Biplu, who tapped the ball into the Brothers net to make it 2-2.
Ibrahim, however, sealed the victory for Brothers Union prodding the ball past Mohammedan keeper Mohammad Nehal from an acute angle in 75th minute.
RESULT
Brothers Union 3 (Mannaf 51, 53, Ibrahim 75) v Mohammedan SC 2 (Towhidul 54, Biplu 65)
-With New Age input