Six-star Dhaka Mohammedan kept alive their hopes of sealing a semi-final berth in the inaugural Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup after claiming a massive 6-1 win over Sri Lankan outfit Solid FC at MA Aziz Stadium in Chittagong yesterday.
Nabib Newaj Jibon, Faisal Mahmud, Arup Kumar Baidya, Habibur Rahman Shohag, Masuk Miah Jony and Lamine Camara all netted once against the Sri Lankan premier league champions in what was the tournament’s biggest margin of victory till date.
Courtesy the thrashing, Dhaka Mohammedan recorded their first points on the board. The traditional Black and Whites had earlier opened their campaign with a 1-0 defeat against Afghan champions De Spin Ghar Bazan.
Solid FC, who beat I-League side Kolkata Mohammedan 2-1 in their opening match, also have three points from their first two matches.
Be it dominating possession or controlling midfield, Dhaka Mohammedan did both while their forward line also seemed to have rediscovered their scoring touch with young striker Jibon scoring one and assisting two.
It was veteran midfielder Faisal who broke the deadlock with only 10 minutes into the clock as he placed home a Mohammad Ibrahim cutback from the right flank.
Bangladesh under-19 midfielder and captain Jony doubled the lead just eight minutes later when he slotted home a low Jibon cross. Skipper Arup tripled the lead only six minutes later with an angular effort from the right corner of the box. The goals continued to flood in as player of the match Jibon made it 4-0 when he volleyed home an Arup cross.
The visitors began the second half with a positive approach and took only three minutes to pull one back. Olayemi slalomed into the penalty area and rounded Mohammedan goalkeeper Ashraful Haque Rana before thumping home into an empty net.
Mohammedan, however, were barely done and deservedly made it 5-1 when Lamine headed home a Faisal cross from the left flank. Shohag completed the rout 15 minutes from the final whistle, smashing home a lovely cross from substitute winger Towhidul Alam Sabuj from the right flank. Dhaka Mohammedan will take on their Kolkata counterparts tomorrow.
Meanwhile, the second match between Kolkata Mohammedan and Bazan ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw.
