Mobarak Hossain staged a splendid show to steer Mohammedan Sporting Club to the final of the Grameenphone Super Cup. The Black and Whites handed Muktijoddha a 2-0 defeat in the second semi-final at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday. Mohammedan, who maintained their hundred percent record of making it to the final of all three editions of the Super Cup, will meet high flying treble winners Sheikh Russell KC in the final at the same venue on Tuesday. The nimble winger Mobarak, son of former football star Scooter Gafur, was excellent throughout the match and paved the way for Mohammedan with both a goal and an assist. Both teams made cautious starts and slowly got into their stride, but none were able to stamp their authority on the match. Chances fell either way in the game that was played end to end. Mohammedan lacked a third attacker behind Wahed and Mobarak while Muktijoddha lacked the ideal combination of Biplob, Rony and Jahed Parvez. However, it was Mohammedan who first sent a chill through their opponent’s spine as Rajani failed to connect with a low free-kick in the 13th minute. Clad in their red strip Muktijoddha had their best chance in the first-half just a minute before the breather. Biplob dispossessed Mintu Sheikh at the top of the box on the back of a counter attack, but his feeble shot filed to disturb Mamun Khan between the posts. Mohammedan’s agility was visible in the very next minute when Mobarak made a superb run from the right flank, dribbled past his marker and provided a precise cross to Wahed who headed home from the far post. There have been very few moments in the season when all the spectators no matter how partisan gave a standing ovation to a goal and Mobarak was the man to achieve this distinction thanks to a sublime chip. This time it was Wahed who fetched a through pass to Mobarak. Mobarak made an angular run through the edge of the box and cleverly chipped the ball over onrushing Muktijoddha shot stopper Zia. Muktijoddha went all out in search of two quick goals, but Mohammedan’s defence was up to the challenge and held firm. In the 80th minute, substitute midfielder Shihab unleashed a venomous free-kick, but a powerful punch by Mamun saw off the danger. The victory was wildly celebrated by the Mohammedan fans across the venue as they have not had much to celebrate this season.
Result Mohammedan 2-0 Muktijoddha
Match Highlights
13’ Mohammedan’s Rajani slides, but fails to connect a tap in on a low free-kick from midfielder Habibur Rahman Shohag
33’ a curved cross comes in from the left by Muktijoddha winger Faisal Mahmood, but Shyamal Ahmed Rony mistimes his jump at the top of the six-yard box
44’ Muktijoddha forward Biplob snatches the ball from Mohammedan defender Mintu Sheikh, but shoots it straight to goalkeeper Mamun Khan
45’ Goal! Wahed heads the ball home from a precise cross delivered by the winger Mobarak
63’ Goal! The pair are at it again, only this time Wahed puts in a through pass to see Mobarak finish with a delicate chip
80’ Muktijoddha midfielder Shihab’s fierce free-kick is punched to safety by Mohammedan goalkeeper Mamun