Cameroonian forward Biyaga Paul Emile scored the first hat-trick of the Walton Independence Cup 2018-19 season as reigning champion Arambagh Krira Sangha finished Group A champion after handing Saif Sporting Club a dominant 3-1 defeat at Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka Friday.
Arambagh’s last-eight opponent will be decided after Group C’s last match between Abahani Limited and Brothers Union Saturday.
The Motijheel outfit will face the runners-up side of Group C in the first quarter-final Tuesday.
Saif Sporting’s defence looked vulnerable against a more organised and fast attacking line-ups of Arambagh, led by Emile, with local booters Rabiul Hasan and Arifur Rahman also posting consistent threats.
Arambagh began the game brightly, dominated midfield and created three chances within the half-hour mark, and Emile featured on all occasions.
A minute after brilliantly tackled down by defender Rafi, Emile saw his first effort on target from Arifur’s pass blocked by a crowded defence.
Saif Sporting keeper Ziaur Rahman made a fine save to deny Emile’s effort in the 27th minute.
Nofel Sporting Club beat Mohammedan Sporting Club Limited 2-0 in the Independence Cup at Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka Thursdayhttps://t.co/9gSKPPggCV#FOOTBALL #BANGLADESH #BANGLADESHFOOTBALL #INDEPENDENCE #CUP #INDEPENDENCECUP #BFF #NOFEL #MOHAMMEDAN #NOFELSPORTINGCLUB
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) December 6, 2018
The Cameroonian forward then showed great technique and skill to receive left-back Parvez Mia’s cross with his chest before dodging past his marker to place home calmly past the keeper on the stroke of the first half.
Emile fed a fine ball for Shahriar Bappy, who failed to connect in front of the post.
Emile doubled the lead in the 62nd minute smashing home into the middle after Arifur ran through the opponent’s terrain following a through pass from Rabiul.
Arifur cut the ball back to Emile after entering into the left side of the box.
It was Saif Sporting’s last-match hero and captain Jamal Bhuiyan who managed to pull one back six minutes later with a left-footed grounder from 20 yards out.
Emile completed his hat-trick in the 80th minute.
Emile stepped up after receiving a pass from substitute Jashim Uddin and unleashed a curved effort from top of the box that entered into the right side of the keeper.
Chittagong Abahani Limited’s Momodou Bah scored for the second game running as the port city outfit qualified for the quarter-final of the Independence Cup after edging Rahmatganj Muslim Friends Society 1-0 at Bangabandhu National Stadium Thursday.https://t.co/64vkTmkhhW#BFF
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) December 6, 2018
RESULT
Arambagh 3 (Emile 45, 62, 80) 1 Saif Sporting (Jamal 68)
SATURDAY'S MATCHES
Sk Russel v Sk Jamal, 3pm
Brothers v Abahani, 5:15pm
Both the games will be held at BNS
