Comfit Composit Limited clinched the 14th edition of the Ascent Cup Football after beating rival Bando Design in a dramatic penalty shootout in the Cup final at STM Hall in Uttara, Dhaka yesterday.
Meanwhile, Gemcon and Securex sealed the Plate and Bowl titles after defeating Brac Bank and Petromax respectively.
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of what transpired on the final day of the Ascent Cup, there are a few more important aspects of this tournament which must be mentioned for the readers to get the perspective of why every year teams line up to play for this title.
The acute punctuality of the organizing community, as well as every participating teams, has been the most standout performance of this tournament.
Teams turning up at the Scholastica compound from the far end of the city is refreshing to see.
And borderline gives hope that given enough incentives, people are capable of being on time.
Commencement of the Ascent Cup came hot on the heels of the greatest Cricket World cup finals anyone of us living have ever witnessed.
And that too was marred with umpiring controversy.
To err is human and in almost any major tournaments referees/umpires are abused by fans on a regular basis.
This is the first time where neither team managements nor fans hurled any abuse or complaints towards the referees.
International referees are flown in to conduct the games and they ensure rules are followed to the tee.
A jammed packed day here on the penultimate day of the 14th Ascent Cup as teams lined up to play their respective Plate Pre-Quarter Finals, Plate Quarter Finals, Bowl Pre-Quarter Finals, Bowl Quarter Finals, and Cup Semi Finalshttps://t.co/wuZjzObWKm#FOOTBALL #ASCENTCUP #ASCENT
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) August 2, 2019
Referees Bradley Williams, Sagnik and Debaditya must be commended for their exemplary performance.
Now to the main event and what a day it was to end the 10 days of festivities.
Bowl final saw security partner Securex coming in having scored a massive 28 goals in their last four games.
And a consistent performer in the form of Petromax.
Playing with second choice keeper, Securex went into half time locked in at 1-1.
However, soon into the second they conceded a goal.
Just when it seemed like their hunt for a trophy will continue to the next season, they found their way back!
An equalizer followed a swift counter-attack that saw them take the lead for the first time in the match and they help onto it by tooth and claw to win the Bowl final and lifted a trophy after eight years.
Three-time Cup champion Gemcon took on Brac Bank for the Plate final and as expected won it comfortably 4-1.
Playing for the Cup for the second time in a row were rivals Bando and Comfit.
Both teams played dominatingly and looked to counter quickly.
Bando broke the deadlock after a barrage of shots on target were saved by some great keeping from Comfit.
However, the lead did not last long as Comfit came back with a great finish.
Both teams went into half time tied at 1-1.
As would be expected from evenly matched teams, second half and extra time saw both failing to take the lead.
In the end, it was the penalty shootout that saw Comfit home and crowned the champion of the Ascent Cup with 3-0 score on penalties.
The Ascent Group has been powering this amateur sporting event from 2008.
