Giants Held on Day 2

After the opening day's upset Badda victory over Abahani, the second day of the Protiti Pharma Victory Day Club Cup football tournament suffered from a goal drought as both the matches ended in goalless draws.

Lack of match practice and fitness was evident as professional clubs Arambagh Krira Sangha and Muktijoddha Sangsad both suffered against their respective Senior Division sides at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

In the day's first affair, Abu Yusuf's Victoria Sporting Club should have left the ground with a win while Dhaka Wanderers also looked similarly aggressive against Muktijoddha later on in the night.

Both the Senior Division clubs had the edge, mostly due to their in-match rhythm from playing in the ongoing league.

Mithun Chowdhury was at the heart of Victoria attacks and the prolific striker, who has kept his side among the top two in the Senior Division table, created great chances either side of the break.

Mithun picked up Jahurul, whose first-time volley on a superb cross was parried by Arambagh keeper Piru in the 27th minute.

Ten minutes from time, Mithun provided a chance for Turjo whose header was tipped onto the crossbar by Piru before a fellow defender cleared the danger.

After Arambagh, fellow professional club Muktijoddha made a great escape although they had a better start.

After Arman Aziz shot two long-rangers off target, Maruf's solo run brought Kanchan close to score after 22 minutes but the winger's slow reaction allowed Wanderers goalkeeper Jahangir to snatch the ball.

Jahangir then kept out a 30-yarder from Reds captain Arman for a corner to inspire a Wanderers counter attack that put Muktijoddha's Aminul to the test.

Playing for his side after one year following injury, the national goalkeeper gripped an overhead shot well after Wanderers' foreign recruit Lunti, taking a through from Kabir, unleashed a powerful left-footer just inside form the area.

Lunti was again sent racing into the box by a headed through-ball from fellow African Luxal but this time the former shot the ball into the sidenetting after beating Aminul.

Wanderers, who had several guest players in their squad in Brothers' Shuvra, Chittagong Mohammedan's Asif, Farashganj's Kabir and Sheikh Russel's Aminul, should have sealed three points inside the first 15 minutes of the second half but for Luxal's poor marksmanship.

Luxal had the whole Muktijoddha defence at his mercy after a stunning run through the middle but too much dependency on his left foot denied him a shot at goal in the 47th minute.

The forward was within striking distance a minute later when Aminul lost a low cross from Lunti under pressure but the forward failed to take possession to waste a great opportunity.

Luxal was once again picked up by Lunti but he drove a low shot past Aminul and the sidebar on the hour.

The Reds came close to a lucky winner but Kanchan's powerful header on a centre by Rajani rattled the crossbar in the 67th minute. Kanchan should have scored eight minutes from time but his effort during a melee was cleared from the goal line by Wanderers skipper Jahangir Sr, the fullback who also kept the ball out after Maruf pushed the ball on the rebound.