Mohammedan Sporting Club Limited enhanced their chance of advancing to the Federation Cup quarter-final after scoring three goals in the last eight minutes to seal a 4-1 win over Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad Krira Chakra at Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka Sunday.
10-time winner Mohammedan, who began their campaign with a 3-0 loss over arch-rival Abahani Limited, now have three points from two matches, same as the Sky Blues, who have contested one game less.
Muktijoddha will now have to win their second and final Group D match against Abahani at the same venue Wednesday to have any chance of moving to the last eight.
A draw in that game will see both Abahani and Mohammedan progress, while an Abahani win would see them finish as Group D champion, with Mohammedan runners-up.
The Black and Whites wasted little time in establishing their authority over the tie as they orchestrated their first attack in the fourth minute but Amir Hossain Bappy’s shot from a pass from Japanese midfielder Uru Nagata was fisted away for a corner by Muktis goalkeeper Mahfuz Rahman.
Mahfuz was at hand to deny the Motijheel outfit once again in the 12th minute when he thwarted a powerful shot from Shahed Mia.
Aminur Rahman Sajib then fluffed his lines in the 24th minute from a long Mohammad Atikuzzaman throw-in.
Jewel Rana scored a brilliant brace in Abahani Limited’s thrashing 3-0 win over arch-rival Mohammedan Sporting Club...
Posted by Sports Tribune on Thursday, 24 December 2020
Muktis got their first meaningful opportunity three minutes later but Cameroon forward Christian Bekamenge’s shot was saved by Mohammedan custodian Ahsan Habib Bipu.
The resulting ball was fired over the crossbar by Tarikul Islam.
Following a Sajib shot which flew over the bar in the 32nd minute, Mohammedan finally broke the deadlock as Habibur Rahman Sohag’s free kick from 20 yards struck the back of the net.
Muktijoddha, who won their last Fed Cup in 2003, brought parity in the 68th minute through Uzbekistan forward Akbar Ali, who headed home from a Sujon Mia cross.
Muktijoddha’s joy though lasted only seven minutes as Atikuzzaman gave Mohammedan the lead from a header.
Mohammedan took full control of the tie in the 80th minute when Nigerian striker Abiola Nurat placed home with his left foot after bringing down a Sajib cross with his right foot, while three minutes later, Nurat completed the rout, once again from a Sajib pass.