Mohammedan Sporting Club Limited clinched the Grameenphone Super Cup, putting behind their recent owes to beat Sheikh Russell Krira Chakra 4-2 in a dramatic tie-breaker in
the final at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Tuesday.
Goalkeeper Mamun Khan appeared to be the unlikely hero for Mohammedan saving two penalty kicks from Nahidul Islam and Sabuz Kumar Bishwas after Biplop Bhattacharjee gave Russell an edge blocking Rajani Kanta Barman’s shot.
The trophy ended Mohammedan’s four-year long title drought with the popular Black-and-White outfit securing their last silverware in the Super Cup in 2009.
Mohammedan have since lost their dominance with the emergence of some other power houses like Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club Limited and Russell and made just one final in last four seasons.
Russell came into this match seeking an unprecedented quadruple, having already won the league, Federation Cup and the Independence Cup, but a spirited Mohammedan had the last laugh in the Super Cup, which offered a prize money of Tk 50 lakh for the champions.
More than 10,000 fans attended the final, a rare turnout in domestic football these days and the players made their money worth spending with 120 minutes of lively football action.
The stipulated 90 minutes, which ended 1-1, was entertaining, if not spectacular, with neither side managing to implement any supremacy over the opposition.
Mohammedan came close to scoring first when Mezbabul Haque Manik solely ran on a through ball from Maruf Ahmed in the 15th minute but lost his balance before taking his shot under pressure from Russell defender Uttam Banik and the onrushing goalkeeper Biplob.
A relived Russell took the honour of drawing first blood as Zahid Hasan Ameli gave his team the lead in the 27th minute, tapping in a Zahid Hossian cross from the right flank.
Attacking midfielder Anwar produced an angular through pass to Zahid Hossain who delivered a precise cross to Ameli and the national striker made no mistake placing the ball to the back of the net, notching his third goal in the competition.
Ameli was booked by the referee after taking off his shirt while celebrating.
In the 37th minute, Mezbabul Haque Manik saw his powerful attempt blocked by Russell goalie Biplob after receiving a cut-back pass from Wahed inside the box.
Zahid Hossain, national winger of Russell, attempted a free-kick from 30 yards in the 40th minute but his shot was acrobatically cleared by Mohammedan goalie Mamun Khan.
A counter attack in the 52nd minute almost presented Mohammedan with the equaliser but Wahed Ahmed saw his solo effort rebounding off the side post after snatching the ball from a Russell defender.
Two minutes later Wahed found the back of the net after placing a rebounding shot past Russell goalie Biplob. Wahed beat Uttam Banik and took a shot which was initially saved by Biplob but the goalkeeper was unable to save the second attempt.
Ameli failed to connect his head to a superb cross from Anwar from the right flank in the 75th minute.
Mohammedan pressed hard for a goal in the last few minutes of regulation time and came close at least twice but Biplob, recently recalled to the national side, stood tall to save Russell on both occasions.
Biplob parried off Manik’s 35-yard free-kick in the last minute of normal time before he cleared a thunderous shot of Tapu Barman in stoppage time.
The extra 30 minutes were evenly poised as neither side could create any clear opportunity. The only significant event of extra time was the two straight red cards dished out to Russell’s Linkon and Mohammedan’s Wahed who were involved in an off-the-ball tussle two minutes from the final whistle.
Courtesy of the win, the Motijheel-based outfit had the honour of going ahead in the head-to-head meetings between the two sides this season. In five clashes, Mohammedan have been victorious on three occasions with Russell prevailing in the other two.
AWARDS
Player of the Final: Mamun Khan (MSC)
Player of the Tournament: Mobarrak Hossain (MSC)
Top Scorers: Jewel Rana (Brothers Union), Zahid Hasan Ameli (Sheikh Russell), Wahed Ahmed (MSC)
** Each scored three goals
Fair Play Trophy: Brothers Union
Best Coach: Saiful Bari Titu (MSC)
-With New Age input
