The New Nation - Internet Edition

Sabbir Hossain

Mohammedan Sporting Club emerged as the champions of the Citycell Federation Cup Football Tournament when they beat their arch rivals runners-up Abahani Limited 3-2 in a hard-fought tie-breaker of the final match at the flood-lit Bangabandhu National Stadium on Monday.

The stipulated ninety-minute match ended in a 1-1 draw.

It was almost a fifty-fifty affair and Mohammedan Sporting Club got success in the penalty shoot-out. Thus the black and white outfit annexed the Federation Cup.

After a barren first half Ameli of Abahani Limited put his team ahead using a right-side cross of his teammate Ibrahim in the 54th minute of the play.

In the 70th minute of the game Rabin of Mohammedan Sporting Club dodged past three Abahani markmen Samad, Sujan and Nazrul and made no mistake to put the ball into the blank net deceiving the Abahani custodian Biplob.

Earlier, Abahani got two notable chances in the first half while their arch rivals Mohammedan created one move but all the attempts went in vain.

In the second half Mohammedan got the easiest chance in the 75th minute but Mohammedan's Nigerian recruit Alamu Bukolo failed to beat helpless goalkeeper Biplob.

As the regulation minute-match ended in a 1-1 draw thus the match went into the extra time but both the teams failed to generate any notable move.

As the extra thirty-minute match ended in a goalless draw thus the fate of the match was decided in the tie-breaker.

Emmanuel, Maruf, Komol of Mohammedan Sporting Club got success in the penalty shoot-out while Waly,Pranotosh successfully struck the spot kick.

On the other hand, Emeli, Mamun, Nazrul of the Dhanmondi-based outfit failed in the penalty shoot-out while Rajani of Motijheel-based outfit failed in the tie-breaker.

Mohammedan Sporting Club : Aminul (goalkeeper), Hasan Al Mamun, Rajani, Shoikot, Kamal, Arman Aziz(captain), Mahmoud(Maruf), Sharif, Alamu Bukola, Rabin(Komol).

Abahani Limited : Biplob(goalkeeper), Siraji, Samad, Nazrul(captain), Sujan(Prodip), Waly, Joy(Pranotosh), Abul(Zahed), Mamun, Ameli, Ibrahim.

Yellow Cards :Samad, Mamun, Ameli, Ibrahim(Abahani) and Alamu Bukolo(Mohammedan).

Referee : Azad Rahman.