Haitian forward Wedson Anselme slammed a sensational hattrick as Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club grafted an impressive comeback to retain the title of the Federation Cup, beating Muktijoddha Sangsad 6-4 in a high-scoring final at Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
In-form winger Wedson netted his second treble of the tournament to enable the Premier League champions to overcome a 4-2 deficit. This is Sheikh Jamal’s second consecutive Federation Cup title.
The two sides met each other in the final of last year’s Federation Cup, which ended in an 1-0 win for Sheikh Jamal. But this time, the first half alone produced six goals as Muktijoddha took a surprising 4-2 lead. Among the four goals scored by Muktijoddha in the first half, former national striker Enamul Haque was responsible for two of them.
However, it was Sheikh Jamal who took the lead with just five minutes into the game through Nigerian striker Emeka Darlington. Emeka headed in a Sohel Rana cross and struck the back of the net.
Muktijoddha responded quickly and equalised just three minutes later, that too from a Yeamin Munna own goal. Sheikh Jamal goalkeeper Shahidul Alam Sohel failed to clear a Faisal Mahmud cross as Yeamin diverted the ball into his own net.
The delight of the All Reds did not last long as the Premier League champions again went ahead five minutes later. Wedson’s tap-in in front of an empty net found the back of the goal following a lovely back-heel from Emeka.
Senegalese forward Camara Sarba restored parity at the half-hour mark after an exhibition of comical defending from Sheikh Jamal. A long Enamul throw-in created a goal-mouth melee which ended with Camara placing home from the six-yard box.
Soon, Sheikh Jamal’s cause was dented further when Enamul’s glancing header off a Saikat pass found the back of the net.
Enamul stunned Sheikh Jamal again by scoring his second of the day only two minutes later. He placed home a Camara header after Faisal’s cross landed on the penalty area.
The best was yet to come as Jamal came out a completely different side after the breather to stage a breathtaking comeback with goals from Wedson in the space of seven minutes.
The Haitian forward rounded off the goalkeeper to reduce the marging in the 62nd minute before he dribbled past two defenders minutes later to slam home his second hat-trick in the season and more importantly equaliser in for Jamal.
Endurance was the biggest need for the players as the game rolled into extra time, which was dominated by the eventual champions. Emeka, the Nigerian striker used his pace and strength to bring his club the crucial lead in the 107th minute and followed it by an unselfish pass to Rubel Mia who sealed the fate of the match with ease in the 117th minute.
Wedson Anselme was adjudged the man of the final and player of the tournament for his remarkable performance throughout the tournament.