Rahmatganj into Independence Cup semis

Rahmatganj Muslim Friends Society swept into the semi-final of the Independence Cup for the first time in history after beating Old Dhaka counterpart Farashganj Sporting Club with a solitary goal in the second quarter-final at Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka Sunday. Farashganj defender Khalekuzzaman Sabuj netted an own goal early in the second half to gift Rahmatganj a berth in the semi-final, which, according to head coach Kamal Babu, is the club's first ever last four appearance in the tournament. Kamal blamed fatigue and tiredness of the players for a soulless performance on the pitch yesterday but denied accepting the win by an own-goal as a lucky one. The former Farashganj coach however, showed disappointment with the fact that they have to wait six days to know their semi-final opponent.

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Following an uneventful opening half, Rahmatganj went ahead five minutes into the second half through an own goal when Sabuj headed the ball into his own net while trying to clear a free-kick from Faisal Ahmed from the left flank. Farashganj had two chances afterwards to score the equaliser when midfielder Abu Shahed hit the woodwork from a free-kick in the 68th minute. In the 81st minute, midfielder Jewel Mollick and striker Mosiur Mishu saw their shots from inside the box blocked by the Rahmatganj defence due to weak effort. There is a four-day break before the third quarter-final between Abahani Limited and Arambagh Krira Sangha next Monday. Rahmatganj will face the winner of the last quarter-final between Chittagong Abahani Limited and Sheikh Russel Krira Chaka, scheduled for February 6.RESULTRahmatganj 1 (Sabuj 50 - OG) 0 Farashganj