Dhaka, Oct 23: Sudanese forward James Moga scored twice in the first half to help Muktijoddha Sangsad emerge Group B champions in the Grameenphone Federation Cup with a 3-0 crashing of Brothers Union at the Birsreshtha Shahid Sipahi Mostafa Kamal Stadium, Kamlapur today.Muktijoddha finished with seven points to set a semifinal clash against Group A runners-up Lt Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club while Brothers, who had six points before this match, will face last year’s runners-up Abahani in the last four.
The result confirmed defending champions Mohammedan Sporting Club’s exit from the group stage even before their last match in the tournament, in which they shared points with Soccer Club Feni in a1-1 draw.
In the day’s first match, Mithun Chowdhury added a third for Muktijoddha who played with ease against Brothers, who having ensured a semifinal berth earlier, rested striker Enock Bentil and their top scorer, Brazilian Everton.
Moga opened the scoring for his side converting a spot kick in the 31st minute. Referee Abdul Hannan Miron awarded the penalty when Brothers’ defender Taru handled a Titu shot inside the penalty zone.
Moga increased his competition’s goal tally to seven in a solo exertion in the 36th minute. He embarked in the all orange’s danger area facing almost no threat from the opponent side’s scattered backline.
Nasir, who replaced Moga in the half time break, provided a good square pass to Mithun in the 70th minute. Mithun tapped the ball in, to seal the fate of the match.
Afterward, twelve time finalists Mohammedan drawn the match of formality next to Soccer Club as their Nigerian forward Emeka Christano failed to score from a penalty kick.
Since, the result had no impact on their position in the tournament, Mohammedan decided to go for some experiment introducing four new faces in the starting eleven.
Soccer Clubs, Mahmudul Hasan Bulbul put his side ahead in the 37th minute scoring from a Nayon pass inside the penalty zone.
Mohammedan got a good opportunity to equalize when they won a spot kick in the 49th minute as Anower was nudged down by a Soccer Club defender in their danger zone. Mohammedan’s long serving Nigerian striker took the penalty kick for his side but he was not successful to beat the acrobatic Soccer Club custodian Pearuzzaman Piru.
Mohammedans rising star Sohel headed home an Asif right flank cross four minutes before the final whistle to level the score.