Raihan Mahmood
Dhaka Mohammedan Sporting Club made history when they became the first team to win a prize money of Tk 1 crore with a 1-0 victory over their arch-rivals Dhaka Abahani in the final of the Citycell Super Cup at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Friday.
The prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, distributed the prizes in front of a capacity crowd of 45000 and a few thousand waiting outside. Runners-up Abahani took home a purse of Tk 20 lakh.
Mohammedan put in a balanced performance to restrict their opponents who missed their key midfielders Joy and Pranatosh and were stunned to see their attacking lynchpin Emily limping off with a muscle sprain late in the first half. Abahani pushed forward after the break but the Mohammedan defence kept Abahani’s main striker Ghanaian Awudu Ibrahim in check. Ibrahim found a very few spaces throughout the 90 minutes and was often the lone prowler in the opposition defence.
After taking the early lead Mohammedan looked a little defensive and snuffed out the Abahani attack in the midfield. Goalkeeper Aminul, veteran defender Rajani, Nigerian defender Emmanuel Dami and Egyptian midfielder Hazem Mahmood fought their hearts out to bring glory to the traditional black-and-white outfit.
Abahani launched the first attack in the fifth minute but Mamun’s curling free-kick missed the crossbar by a few inches. Awudu Ibrahim produced one of his trademark solo runs in the 6th minute but shot the ball straight at Aminul from ten yards.
Mohammedan hit back and Nigerian forward Alamu Bukola Olalekan’s back-heel from a Nasir cross went wide.
Mohammedan took the lead through Nigerian John Goodwin in the 21st minute. Egyptian midfielder Hazem Mahmood curved a lob from the midfield and Bukola received the ball in the left flank and lost his marker and sent a cross to Goodwin who blasted the ball into the top corner from ten yards.
Abul, who came on for Emily, headed an Awudu cross wide in the 35th minute with Aminul alone under the bar.
After the restart Abahani surged ahead in search of a goal and Emeka Christian, who surprisingly was doing a defensive job in the first half, blasted the ball over from close range in the 53rd minute.
Aminul’s vigilance paid off in the 56th minute as he parried an Awudu grounder diving to his right.
Abahani piled up the pressure and in the 76th minute Shujon headed a Wali Faisal free-kick intended for Awudu but Aminul rushed forward and made a fingertip save.
Abahani realised the day did not belong to them as Abul’s goal-bound header from a Awudu Ibrahim cross in the 79th minute was headed to safety by a diving Dami Emmanuele.
Abahani forward Emily won the red 700cc Cherry car as the most valuable player of the tournament, Aminul Huq scooped Tk 1 lakh as the best goalkeeper, Abdul Hannan Miron was richer by Tk 50,000 as the best referee.
State minister for youth and sports Ahad Ali Sarker, Chief of Army Staff and NSC chairman General Moeen U Ahmed, BFF president Kazi Salahuddin and Citycell CEO Michael Seymour were present at the prize distribution ceremony.
Courtesy of NewAge
