Giants Back on Track

Abahani and Muktijoddha Sangsad both won to bounce back into contention in the Protiti Pharma Victory Day Club Cup football tournament at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

After a 1-0 shock loss to Badda Jagarani, the B. League champions showed the gulf of difference between them and Dhaka Wanderers with a 3-1 win in the evening after Muktijoddha gave a good account of themselves, beating Badda 2-1 in the day's first match. Muktijoddha played out a goalless draw with Wanderers on Friday.

First half goals from Alfaz Ahmed and Hasan Al Mamun gave Muktijoddha the footing they required after their first match debacle. Alfaz's angular shot from a Parvez Babu left-side delivery gave Muktijoddha their first goal in the 28th minute.

A minute later, wingback Mamun tapped in a simple chance in the six-yard box after Arman Aziz's volley rebounded off a Badda defender and fell close to Mamun. The second half petered on but Badda, the Senior Division team, were threatening to score. In the 87th minute, Milon latched on to a long ball but the crossbar stood between his shot and a second goal in the competition.

Badda's aggression at that late stage paid off in the final minute of injury time when Rana headed in a low cross from Milon.

Abahani, warming up on the eastern side of the ground during the final 15 minutes of the Muktijoddha-Badda match, knew they were in a must-win situation after Muktijoddha's exploits.

It was captain Arif Khan Joy who broke the shackles after a cagey first 15 minutes. But the experienced midfielders' shot flew over the bar.

In the next ten minutes, Abahani showed intent and it transpired into a goal albeit a lucky one. Shahajuddin Tipu probed into Badda's defence but his aimed cross towards Emily struck Anupam Barua's shoulder and went in, beating a wrong-footed goalkeeper Jahangir Alam.

Thirteen minutes later, Zahed Parvez's cross was meant for Tipu but that's when the beauty of the move unravelled. Tipu let it run and Emily slid the ball home from very close range.

Abahani went into cruise mode after Abul Hossain forced a good save from Jahangir. But the Sky Blues were jolted when Ashraful Islam's low volley found the net, in the 50th minute.

Abahani again went on the offensive, and in the 67th minute, it was Emily again who scored. This time, the young striker rounded off two defenders and the goalkeeper to tap in after having collected a cross from Zahed.

Emily missed two more clear-cut opportunities, having taken late decisions to shoot at Badda's post.

It was indeed the trio of Zahed, Tipu and Emily who ruled the Big Bowl on a chilly evening.