Feni Soccer Club’s dream ride in the Modhumoti Bank Independence Cup continued as they stormed into the final for the first time in history after two late strikes steered them into a 2-0 victory over Brothers Union at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
After a goalless first half, Gambia national team captain Mathew Mendy put Feni Soccer Club ahead in the 81st minute before substitute defender Abdullah Al Mamun doubled the lead four minutes later to seal a historic final berth for the club. They will now face the winner of today’s semifinal between two traditional giants of Dhaka football - Abahani Limited and Mohammedan Sporting Club in the final on April 12.
This is the first time Feni Soccer Club have progressed as far as the final of a professional football tournament. Their previous best achievement was in their debut season in 2009 when they made it to the Federation Cup semifinal but lost to Mohammedan.
Soccer Club adopted a ‘safety first’ strategy as they concentrated more on defending rather than scoring. Deploying five defenders including two new Gambian signings Mathew Mendy and Landing Darboe in front of goalie Nehal clearly illustrate that they focus was on strengthening their defense. However, the omnipresent threat of the Gambian duo from set pieces just outside Brothers’ D posed a constant worry for Brothers’ defenders.
It’d be fair to say that Brothers Union had a better first half and controlled the midfield most of the time but they lacked that all important killer instincts in front of the goal unfortunately which ultimately cost them a place in the final. Brothers made their first promising attack in the 11th minute when Jewel Rana fed Simon with a short pass but the Nigerian midfielder failed to take full control and saw his tame effort easily blocked by Ramjan Ali Mollah. Jewel Rana was again the architect of another promising attack in the 30th minute when from his assist, Simon’s shot deflected off a Feni defender for a corner.
However, it was Feni Soccer Club who created the best chance of the first half six minutes later when Nigerian forward Chuka Charles met Ramjan Ali’s corner and the following ball found Feni’s Gambian defender Landing Darboe who reacted quickly with a goal-bound volley, only to be denied at the very last moment when Brothers defender Yousuf cleared off the line brilliantly to keep the score 0-0.
12 minutes into the second half, Feni keeper Md. Nehal produced a diving save to deny Simon’s effort from inside the box. Feni had another opportunity four minutes later when Gambian Mathew Mendy shot wide with an open net at his mercy after a cutback from Chuka Charles from the left flank found him unmarked.
Mendy, however, made amends for his previous mistake by putting Soccer Club ahead in the 81st minute. The attack started from a Liton throw-in which was followed by Gambian forward Kabba Jobe’s side volley from the edge of the box. Mendy was unmarked at the second bar and he raced forward to head the ball into the net.
Soccer Club then rubbed salt into an already wounded Brothers side when they doubled the lead four minutes later to ensure the victory. Following a long cross, Abdullah Al Mamun outpaced his marker to head straight to the keeper Sabuj Das Rogu, who inexplicably failed to hold onto the ball and Mamun made no mistake to bury home the rebound.
We now will have to wait till the final whistle of the final is blown to know whether this merry Feni ride continues any further.
