A dying minute strike from Jafar Iqbal steered the defending champions Mohammedan Sporting Club (MSC) to move into the semifinal defeating Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra by 2-1 in the Bashundhara Federation Cup football tournament.
Held at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium, Gopalgaj on Tuesday, Mohammedan came from a goal down to snatch the 2-1 victory to confirm their semifinal berth for the successive occasion of the Federation Cup football.
Mohammedan, who won the Federation Cup in 2009 and after more than a decade regained the trophy in last season, this time also are advancing to the final to fight for retaining the title for successive times.
However, on the day, in the almost evenly encounter Mohammedan enjoyed the better possessions but conceded the goal inside 22 second of kick off and took a long 71 minutes to bounce back and finally shocked the Russel in the first minute of the injury period.
Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra got off perfect start with Monir and Ganto ended the 22-second move that saw Russel’s a stunning lead.
It was just an ordinary move right after the first whistle of the match through the left wing, Monir Alam floated the ball inside the area and thanks to a Ganto’s stunning header on a long cross from Monir Alam found the net.
Mohammed Ganto, who was almost left free, took the excellent header to send the ball into far post, as Mohammedan goalkeeper Sujon Hossain had nothing to watch the ball was going to the top corner of the far post (1-0).
Mohammedan missed some great chances before the break, while Soleymane Diabate posed a threat in the early part of the second half. But Mohammedan continued the pressure and Muzaffarov scored from outside the box.
After struggling for a long, Muzaffarov gave the life-line to Mohammedan with equalizing the margin on 71st minute when he volleyed home a back pass from Soleymane Diabate (1-1).
It was an uplifting moment for the Uzbek central midfielder after the disappointment of Diabate’s missing from close range when national goalkeeper Mitul Marma made a brilliant save.
After equalizing the margin, Mohammedan boost up their pressure and went closer to have the lead but due to excellent determination of Mitul Marma under the bar and failures of the forwards match was heading to extra time.
Finally Alfaz Ahmed’s sides got relief when Jafar Iqbal beat Mitul Marma converting his second attempt having a right side cross from Arif in the first minute of four minutes added time (2-1).