Muktijoddha shatters Mohammedan's title dreams

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November 27, 2000

Dhaka--(UNB) – Holders Mohammedan SC quit from the title race of the NBL Premier Division Football League after conceding a lone goal defeat against Muktijoddha Sangsad KC in the inaugural super-three match yesterday (Sunday).

Dark and dapper Muktijoddha striker Farhad, who scored the match-winner against Mohammedan SC in the previous super four-match on Thursday, again netted the all important goal early in the 7^th minute yesterday at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

With the day’s loss, Mohammedan SC not only completed the season’s campaign without any major soccer title after their trophy drought in the national league and the Federation Cup Football, but also conceded five defeats in a row against Muktijoddha.

The day’s victory further consolidated the Muktijoddha’s claim to the much desired league crown having 38 points from 16 matches.

The current national league and federation cup champions Abahani is now the only team who has a chance to deny Muktijoddha the title, provided the celebrated sky-blue outfit win their remaining two matches against Mohammedan SC and Muktijoddha Sangsad.

Abahani will meet their arch rivals Mohammedan on Tuesday (Nov 28) at 2:45 pm and face league leaders Muktijoddha SKC on Thursday (Nov 30), also at 2:45 pm.

In the day’s vital super-three match, both Mohammedan SC and Muktijoddha SKC spoiled a series of easy scoring chances, mostly due to the shakiness of their forwards.

Muktijoddha, however, won the match playing total football with good defense, specially in the first half.

Mohammedan SC managed some golden opportunities in the later half although they were reduced to 10-men after national medio Motiur Munna received marching order in the 62^nd minute.

National defender and Muktijoddha skipper Rajani was adjudged best player of the match to receive prize money of Tk 5,000.

In the day’s tense-packed match, Muktijoddha made the first attempt at goal early in the 3^rd minute, but Mohammedan custodian Nizam nicely gripped a good header of Farhad from a Samsher lob.

But the freedom fighters’ team had to wait for another four minutes only to score the march-winner when striker Farhad found the Mohammedan net by a spectacular header from danger zone, capitalising on a beautiful Masud Rana lob from left wing.

The Mohammedan goalie Nizam was partially responsible for conceding the goal as he failed to anticipate the flight of the ball that kissed the net over his head.

The off-colour Nizam was also blamed for Mohammedan’s defeat against Muktijoddha SKC in the previous match.

The result of the match would have been a different story if Mohammedan skipper-cum national striker Alfaz Ahmed had not spoiled two easy scoring chances in the 79^th and 80^thminutes from vantage position.

In the 79^th minute, two repeated attempts of Alfaz from danger zone went in vain. He failed to shot properly in the first instance and his second attempt sailed over the bar.

Alfaz managed a golden opportunity in the 80^th minute as he ceased upon a loose ball due to defense lapse by Muktijoddha, but he surprisingly sent the ball miles over the bar from handshake distance as the team members looked on miserably.

Mohammedan striker Imtiaz Ahmed Naquib, who jointly dominated the scorer list with Kennedy of Abahani with 15 goals, also deprived his side from two goals in the 33^rd and 72^nd minutes as he failed to connect the ball properly on both occasions.

Apart from Farhad, Uzbek booter Yorkin of Muktijoddha alone spoiled half a dozen scoring chances due to shakiness and lack of match temperament.

The match lost its charm due to rough play by some booters as well as brick batting by Mohammedan fans towards the field, apparently angered by denying their team a penalty and also for the red card shown to Motiur Munna.

Mohammedan national colour medio Motiur Munna was sent off for receiving his second yellow cards in the match.

Yellow cards: Tushar, Joy, Farhad of Muktijoddha.

Muktijoddha SKC: Aminul, Hasan Al Mamun, Prodeep, Rajani, Sujon, Masud Rana, Tushar, Joy (Prodeep Barua), Shamsher (Sourav Raju), Yorkin and Farhad (Amin Rana).

Mohammedan SC: Nizam, Rezaul, Jewel Rana, Faisal, Ruhul Amin (Shoeb), Shah Alam (Jahangir), Selim, Motiur Munna, Rakib, Naquib and Alfaz.

Referee: Virat Khan Thachai (Thailand).

Earlier, in the relegation league match, Victoria SC tasted their first win in the league beating Badda Jagarai Sangsad by 2-1 goals at the same venue in the afternoon.

Sohel and Hanif scored for Victoria SC while Towhid netted the lone goal for Badda Jagarani.

Both teams – Badda Jagarani with 15 points from 16 matches and Victoria SC with 5 points from 16 matches – have already been relegated to the first division league.

END/UNB/MMK/SM 2125 Hrs