Mohammedan Sporting Club Limited reached the semi-finals of the Independence Cup with a 1-0 victory over Muktijoddha Sangsad Krira Chakra at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Thursday. The Black and White outfit played their best game of the season to beat Muktijoddha, who made the last eight after displaying some tremendous football in the group stage.Mohammedan, who failed to qualify for the semi-finals of the Federation Cup, will have to wait to find out who their opponents will be, as favourites Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club face Abahani Limited today in the last quarter final.
Nigerian defender Baybeck put Mohammedan ahead in the 44th minute as he headed home during a goal-mouth melee after a Zahid Hossain free kick from the right flank.
Both the sides boosted up pressure after the interval, but no one created any notable opportunities in the second part of the game.
Mohammedan skipper Zahid Hasan Ameli provided a low cross to Hemanta Vincent in the 77th minute, but the midfielder failed to put the ball in the net.
Muktijoddha’s frustrated coach Shafikul Islam Manik blamed referee Jashim Uddin for not giving a penalty in the dying minutes.
‘Referee’s whistle blew against us, as in the last minute of the match he didn’t give a clear penalty to us, which ruled us out from the tournament,’ said Manik.
‘If referee’s decision goes against us randomly then it’s very tough to play in the field. We didn’t want to exit from the tournament from this stage,’ said the disappointed coach.
Mohammedan’s Portuguese coach Rui Jose Capella Batista, on the other hand, was happy to see his side in the semi-final but said his team had wasted a number of chances to increase the margin of victory.
‘We missed at least five or six scoring opportunities, so we have to be happy with the minimum margin of win. However, I’m happy with the performance of my players. They did very well to restrict Muktijoddha goalless,’ said the Mohammedan coach.
-With New Age input