Mohammedan Cruise

Mohammedan Sporting Club did not falter like their fellow title contenders when the event hosts cruised to a 2-0 win over Youngmen's Club Fakirerpool in yesterday's Protiti Pharma Victory Day Club Cup football tournament.

Charles Figo and Farhad scored in the first half at the Bangabandhu National Stadium as the black and whites started their campaign on a positive note, after B. League champions Abahani suffered a shock defeat and heavyweights Muktijoddha drew against Dhaka Wanderers, on the opening two days of the competition.

Mohammedan began brightly against their lesser opponents from the Senior Division but it took the local giants about 20 minutes create a hole in the rival defence. Rony picked up Farhad with a low pass from the right but the striker missed a shot on the turn inside the penalty area.

The Mohammedan pressure told in the 26th minute when Nigerian forward Figo headed home a freekick by guest midfielder Monwar, who lobbed a freekick from the right flank.

Faisal Mahmud, a former Mohammedan player who was taken on loan from Brothers Union, wasted two chances from close before Farhad's sublime goal sealed the victory in the 38th minute.

Faisal, taking a pass from Figo at the left wing, had a hand behind the goal as he sent a short pass to Farhad, who turned on his heels just inside the box before unleashing a perfect low drive with his favourite left foot to find the far corner of the net.

The five-man Mohammedan backline, however, showed signs of wearing out towards the break and allowed a free hit to Ali Hossain who failed to keep his volley on target.

After the break, the men in yellow from Fakirerpool began to get behind the Mohammedan backline with almost every move. But lack of experience resulted in wasting at least four good chances within the first 15 minutes.

Arambagh's professional side goalkeeper Shakil, who stood under the Mohammedan bar, was in the right position every time although the rival finishing was not up to the mark.

Shakil, adjudged man-of-the-match, first held a header by Towhid in the 50th minute and pulled off a brilliant save a minute alter when he tipped the ball out for a corner after Youngmen's skipper Baten fired the ball from 30 yards.

Towhid then failed to receive a ball in the goalmouth before Ali Hossain's placing shot on a running ball was blocked by Shakil, who left his post to rescue the black and whites again.

The wake up calls helped Mohammedan regain their composure to dominate the rest of the game.

They should have scored more goals but Figo and Rony both failed to meet a splitting centre by Kamal at the face of the goal before Figo headed wide from close to squander substitute Zahid's hard work.

Two minutes from the final whistle, overlapping centreback Arif came very close to make it 3-0 but his scorching left-footer from the edge of the penalty box rattled the crossbar.

Mohammedan now lead Group A with three points with Victoria and Arambagh following them with one point each.