Reigning champions Mohammedan Sporting Club’s hope of semi-finals was all but finished after their 1-2 defeat against Muktijoddha Sangshad Krira Chakra in the Independence Cup at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Tuesday. Mohammedan have only three points from three matches in Group A while table toppers Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club, Muktijoddha and Chiitagong Abahani are ahead of them.
It was the second defeat for the Black and White’s in their third group match while Muktijoddha’s second consecutive win in three matches that kept their semi-finals hope strongly alive.
After a barren first half with both teams failing to create any clear cut chances, Muktijoddha’s Nigerian forward Ahmed Kolo Musa struck a brace within nine minutes in the second half .Mohammedan’s Guinean forward Ismail Bangoura pulled one goal back to reduce the margin during the injury time.
Mohammedan, however, dominated the first half with their counter-attack based strategy but couldn’t find the opponent’s net due to a series of mistakes by their forwards.
Winger Yusuf Sifat curved a low-cross to Bangoura who missed the line of the ball at the top of the six-yard box during the 26th minute.
After the resumption, both sides tried hard to break the deadlock and Muktijoddha finally succeed in the 73rd minute when Kolo Musa’s cross deflected off Mohammedan’s Cameroonian defender Pouemi Landry and went into the net.
Musa doubled the lead in the 82nd minute when the Nigerian converted 25-yard out free-kick with a curve attempt that left Mohammedan keeper a mere spectator.
Bangoura reduced the margin in the stoppage time heading home following a corner from Biswanath Ghosh.
While, in the second match of the day, Arambagh Krira Sangha and Team BJMC ended with a goal less draw in their group B meeting.
Arambagh were closed to score in the 77th minute but Nigerian forward Kester Akon saw his shot hit the side post.
In the last minute of the time Arambagh’s striker Abu Sufian wasted a great chance when he failed to beat BJMC keeper on an one on one situation.
With the result, BJMC earned four points from as many matches while Arambagh have two points from three matches.
RESULTS
Muktijoddha 2 (Ahmed Kolo Musa 73, 82) v Mohammedan 1 (Ismail Bangoura 90+)
-With New Age input
