Baichung Sinks Mohammedan

A brace by Baichung Bhutia helped Mohun Bagan come from a goal down and eliminate Mohammedan Sporting Club of Dhaka from the 113th IFA Shield with a 3-1 win in the final group match yesterday.

The match at Barasat looked set to go into the break scoreless but it suddenly became alive when midfielder Enamul Haque Sharif put the Bangladesh professional league champions ahead after 42 minutes.

The celebration was very short lived as star striker Baichung levelled two minutes later. The Indian international then fired the Kolkata heavyweights ahead in the first minute of the stoppage time.

After two scoreless draws, Mohammedan needed to win in a bid to reach the semifinals but could not find their second goal of the competition.

It was Isfaq Ahmed who sealed Bagan's victory in the 83rd minute. Group A runners-ups Bagan will take on South Africa's Santos FC in one of the semifinals.

Churchill Brothers of Goa, meanwhile, emerged Group A champions after their 2-0 win over Kolkata Mohammedan with Kalu Ogba and Jaison Vales scoring in the second half for the I-League runners-ups at Barasat also yesterday.

Churchill, who play Mahindra United in the semifinals, had beaten Mohun Bagan 1-0 in the tournament opener.

It was a sad day for Kolkata giants East Bengal missed out when they finished bottom of the three-team Group B following a 1-1 draw with Santos at Howrah.

Unbeaten Santos won the group with four points and Mahindra runners-ups with three points that came from their 2-0 victory against East Bengal.

Churchill 2-0 Mohammedan SC Dhaka

Churchill defeated Mohammedan Sporting Club 2 - 0 yesterday, in the group A league match. The goals were scored by Kalu Ogba and Jaison Vales, who came on as a substitute in 2nd half.

Churchill dominated the match throughout and missed many chances to score. Mohammedan goalkeeper Tungshang was outstanding and saved MSC many times.

The first goal came via Ogba on 52 minutes, who scored with an opportunistic move, pushing the ball past the goalkeeper. And, with 5 minutes remaining before the final whistle, Vales scored an easy goal thanks to Mboyo, who had dribbled past 2-3 players before handing it on a plate to Vales.

Mohammedan also had a few chances, Nirapada missed two easy heading oppurtunities and Okero once got a chance inside the box but instead of moving forward, he hurriedly shot wide.

The defeat leaves MSC Dhaka with 1 point from 2 games.

Mohammedan Face Churchill Brothers

Mohammedan Sporting Club will take on Goa's Churchill Brothers in today's IFA Shield match at Howrah.

The match will kick off at 3.30pm (Bangladesh time).

Mohammedan, the Bangladesh B. League runners-ups, drew their opening match 0-0 on Thursday with Kolkata Mohammedan, who face Mohun Bagan in today's other Group A match at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.

Churchill, I-League runners-ups, lead the group by virtue of their 1-0 win over Mohun Bagan in the opening match of the 113th edition of the prestigious competition.

Also on Thursday, defending champions Mahindra United lost to South African Premiership side Santos FC 2-0 with Tasleem Paulse scoring in the seventh and 50 minutes.

MSC Draw First IFA Match

Mohammedan Sporting Club Dhaka shared points with Kolkata Mohammedan in a goalless draw in their opening match of the 113th IFA Shield at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata yesterday.

The home side dominated the fist half but wasted three chances to take the lead.

Bangladesh professional league runners-ups Mohammedan, who had only three players of their original squad and fielded guest national players and two Moroccan recruits, bounced back on the second half but without any avail.

The visitors came close after the break when Faisal Mahmud rattled the crossbar before Nigerian striker Paul headed the ball over.

Another chance was fluffed when Kolkata Mohammedan goalie Nasir lost a cross from Hassan Al Mamun but a lurking Adil, of Morocco, placed wide.

Mohammedan will take on Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan in tomorrow's match at the same venue at 3.30pm (Bangladesh time).

MSCs Clash in Kolkata

Mohammedan Sporting Clubs of Dhaka and Kolkata will clash today in both sides' opening match of the 113th ESPN IFA Shield tournament today, according to the tournament website.

The match will kick off at 3pm local time (3.30pm Bangladesh time) at the Salt Lake Stadium.

Mohammedan take on Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan on February 1 also at Salt Lake before playing their last group match against I-League runners-ups Churchill Brothers at Howrah.

The prestigious tournament, meanwhile, commenced yesterday with Churchill edging Mohun Bagan 1-0.

The other group involves East Bengal, Mahindra United and South African club Santos FC.

Bangladesh professional league runners-ups Mohammedan last time participated in the tournament in 1998 when they lost the final to East Bengal in the tiebreakers.

Mohammedan Leave for India Today

Mohammedan Sporting Club will leave Dhaka today to participate in the century old IFA Shield in Kolkata.

Shafiqul Islam Manik's boys, however, will make the trip rather half-hazard, confirmed the Mohammedan coach.

"We have yet to get visa of a few players but I can say now that we are going to take 22 to 23 players," Manik said last night.

Manik informed Mohammedan are lined up against Churchill Brothers of Goa in their opening game on February 28.

Goalkeeper Hassan Al Mamun, defender Jewel Rana, midfielders Arman Aziz and Faisal Mahmud are among many guest players to wear the famous black and white strip in the prestigious tournament. The foreign recruits are Moroccan players Adil and Hakim and Nigerian Paul.

Top Indian sides East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and Kolkata Mohammedan are the other teams in the meet but the main attraction would be South African club, Santos FC.

"We have played a tournament (Victory Day Club Cup) recently and after that, we had a few days practice," former national football Manik said about their inadequate preparation.

Abahani Beat Mohammedan to Reach Final

Abahani buried a wretched start to the Protiti Pharma Victory Day Club Cup when they knocked out arch rivals Mohammedan Sporting Club yesterday to reach the final of the year's first tournament.

Mehdi Hassan Ujjal's sublime second-half goal helped the sky-blues edge tournament hosts Mohammedan 1-0 in the second semifinal before a 15,000-strong holiday crowd at the Bangabandhu National Stadium to set a clash against Arambagh in tomorrow's final.

The two sides had met in one final previously, in the Federation Cup in 2000, with Abahani winning the title.

Amalesh Sen's B. League champions Abahani, who lost 1-0 to Senior Division side Badda Jagarani in the tournament opener but won the rest of the group games in style, started brightly despite missing key striker Emily and attacking midfielder Abul, both suspended following two bookings each.

On the other hand, the black and whites who came to the game on the back of a controversial group match against Arambagh, hardly impressed with five guest players in the starting lineup.

Dubbed 'unsporting' by the tournament committee, Mohammedan's 3-1 victory against Arambagh was scratched and both the teams were punished.

And Shafiqul Islam Manik's boys, probably the most inexperienced team fielded ever by the popular club, were lucky to survive a barrage of rival attacks in the first 45 minutes.

Abahani's guest striker Robin got plenty of chances to separate the two sides but his efforts in the 12 and 18 minutes went wide. Siraji fired a rebound just over Shakil's bar as Abahani began to get behind the five-man Mohammedan backline with almost every move.

Ujjal then sent a crossfield pass to Zahed Parvez at the right flank and the winger's low shot to the far post from ten yards, which certainly looked set to beat goalkeeper Shakil, was intercepted by centre-back and Mohammedan captain Biplab on the half hour.

With Abahani enjoying superior ball possession, Mohammedan midfielders were chasing shadows and whenever they won back the ball, miss passes marred their chances to go ahead.

Fullback Kamal, however, put Biplab to the test in the 37th minute but the Abahani custodian gripped a powerful centre in his second attempt, denying a lurking Charles Figo a shot at goal.

Figo threatened to score against run of play a couple of minutes later but his solo down the left was wasted as his low cross ran across the face of the goal harmlessly.

Abahani had two more chances in the rest of the entertaining first half but Shakil palmed away the ball off Tipu's feet on one on one while Ujjal and Zahed both failed to make most of the rebound.

Robin once again failed to utilise a through by skipper Joy when the youngster fired the ball wide of the far post on the brink of halftime.

Mohammedan made one change at the break but even before they settled, Ujjal struck a superb goal in the 50th minute.

The attacking midfielder himself initiated the move and was in the right position when Zahed drilled a square pass through a forest of legs from the right. Under pressure from two defenders, Ujjal chipped the ball over Shakil and into the net off the far post.

The Mohammedan defence was one man short at that moment as Jewel Rana was nursing a hamstring injury outside the pitch and the veteran guest defender played no more part in the game.

Shakil, another invited recruit, was graceful under pressure as he made a series of saves. Having denied low drives by Wali and Ujjal, the Mohammedan keeper parried a glancing header by Pranotosh to keep the side in the game. But substitute Arafat Rony failed to equalise in the 57th minute when he drove the ball straight to Biplab inside from the area.

Tipu should have scored on the hour but the veteran striker shot the ball onto Shakil after latching on a through by Wali.

Abahani had to remain satisfied with a slim win as man-of-the-match Ujjal, who was sent racing into the box by Nazrul's long overhead pass, saw his placing shot cleared by Ariful from the goalmouth after beating Shakil five minutes later.

Abahani's ultra defensive ploy afterwards and the decision to keep the tired forwards on the pitch gave Mohammedan the chance to go all out in the last 20 minutes but neither Farhad nor Figo managed to get the better of a solid Abahani defence.

A Final Before a Final

Mohammedan Sporting Club will look forward to rebuild a tarnished image following an 'unsporting' game against Arambagh in the group stage and the punishment they had received for it when they face archrivals Abahani in the second semifinal of the Protiti Pharma Victory Day Club Cup today.

The match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium will be telecast live by ATN Bangla from 4.15pm.

Everyone dreams about an Abahani-Mohammedan final whenever a tournament is being held. In a bid to avoid Abahani in the semis, event hosts Mohammedan looked set to lose their group match against eventual finalists Arambagh before crowd agitation forced the local giants to play for a win.

The tournament committee, however, forfeited Mohammedan's 3-1 win and fined Tk 50,000 each to both teams for 'hurting the spirit of the game'.

"I don't think the dispute surrounding Tuesday's match will influence my team tomorrow as they don't want to look back. All the players' focus is on the semifinal," black and whites coach Shafiqul Islam Manik said yesterday.

Manik, who has been using about five guest players, admitted his side will start as dark horse against an inform Abahani.

"We didn't have adequate preparation and there is little understanding among the players. Still, Abahani - who have showed superb team work so far - can be beaten if our players use their senses," the former national fullback added.

After resting half a dozen regulars against Arambagh, Manik will have all his booters available against the sky-blues, who will miss key striker Emily and attacking midfielder Abul.

Abahani coach Amalesh Sen thinks the Mohammedan-Arambagh match has hurt the spirit of the tournament as well as affecting his players.

"The tournament committee should have scratched both teams rather than just doing its duty by fining them," opined Amalesh. "It has upset my boys."

The former national midfielder claimed Abul was not shown two yellow cards but the tournament committee has banned him for the semifinal.

Abahani have appealed against the decision but missing Emily would seriously damage their firepower.

Abahani got off on the wrong foot when they lost 1-0 to Badda in the opener but Emily scored in both their wins against Wanderers and Muktijoddha.

It would also be a revenge mission for the sky-blues, who lost 2-1 last December in a three-match exhibition series between the two sides to raise fund for the victims of Cyclone Sidr.

Mohammedan and Arambagh Punished

The Protiti Pharma Victory Day Club Cup tournament committee did football a favour by penalising local giants Mohammedan Sporting Club and Arambagh Krira Sangha for their 'unsporting' behaviour and playing against the 'spirit of the game'.

Having confirmed their semifinal berths, the two teams were engaged in an 'unfair' contest of trying to lose the last match of Group A on Tuesday - apparently in a bid to finish group runners-up and avoid a clash with favourites Abahani in the semifinals.

Normalcy returned in the latter stage of the match under pressure of the angry fans and eventually, tournament hosts Mohammedan won 3-1.

The disciplinary committee, taking match commissioner Abdus Sadek's report into consideration, yesterday termed the Mohammedan-Arambagh tie completely 'unsporting'.

The tournament committee also condemned the two teams for hurting the spirit of the game although they had ensured their places in the last four before going into the game.

Representatives of the two clubs, who were present in the disciplinary committee meeting, also apologised for their acts.

The two teams have been fined Tk 50,000 each, the amount they are to receive as appearance money. Both clubs have been directed to pay the fine before their respective semifinals. The total Tk one lakh will go into Bangladesh Football Federation's fund for distressed footballers and organisers.

The result of the match has also been cancelled but the standing in the group and the semifinal line-up remain same. Level on four points with Arambagh, Mohammedan are still group champions by virtue of better goal difference.

"We have done this for the sake of football," said tournament committee chairman and former national and Mohammedan captain Zakaria Pintoo.

"This is our (Mohammedan's) tournament and had we not done this, we would have been branded as crooks forever. Now we have proved that at least, we do not support such acts," added the former international defender, who had condemned the club during the match on the previous day.

Chairman of the disciplinary committee Jahirul Haque, who has been associated with Mohammedan since his playing days, also regretted the incident during the match.

"People know us and when they will see this match, they will lose all respect. I feel ashamed at what I've been seeing," Jahirul had commented.

Meanwhile, as the first semifinal kicks off today, surprise pack Badda Jagarani will look to maintain their dream run when they face Arambagh.

The match will kick off at the Bangabandhu National Stadium at 4.15pm with ATN Bangla bringing live telecast.

Badda are the only Senior Division side alive in the tournament along with three professional league clubs - Arambagh, B. League champions Abahani and Mohammedan.

Badda began the eight-team event with a stunning 1-0 win over Abahani but fell to Muktijoddha in the next match before sealing their semifinal berth with a 4-1 crushing of Dhaka Wanderers.

Arambagh drew with Victoria and beat Youngmen's Club Fakirerpool before the controversial encounter against Mohammedan, who face archrivals Abahani in tomorrow's second semifinal.

Mohammedan on the other hand, started with a comfortable win against Youngmen's but were held by Victoria to a goalless draw.

Abahani pulled their socks after the defeat to Badda with emphatic wins against Wanderers and Muktijoddha.

MSC and Abahani to Clash in Semis

Tournament sponsors Mohammedan Sporting Club put their reputation at stake during the last group-stage match of the Protiti Pharma Victory Day Club Cup football tournament against Arambagh Krira Sangha.

After Victoria Sporting Club's hopes to reach the semifinals was dashed following a crushing 3-0 defeat at the hands of Youngmen's Club Fakirerpool in yesterday's first match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium, Mohammedan and Arambagh's places in the semifinals were secured.

Having sealed their semifinal berth, Mohammedan apparently wanted to avoid a clash with arch rivals Abahani in the last four and looked set to concede the match.

But the public's reaction and wrath of the angry fans forced the black and whites to come from behind and win the match 3-1.

Mohammedan, who emerged Group A champions with seven points, will now face Group B runners-up Abahani in the second semifinal on Friday while Senior Division side and surprise pack of the tournament Badda Jagarani, who won Group B, will be pitted against B. League club Arambagh in tomorrow's first knockout game.

Mohammedan's intentions looked clear from the start as they fielded just four players from their previous game's starting lineup against their neighbours.

And when Arambagh's Kenyan striker Domenic sliced through two rival defenders without any resistance to open the scoring after 20 minutes, a 2,000-strong crowd began to stir uncomfortably in the stands.

Shafiqul Islam Manik's boys made no effort to equalise in the rest of the first half. The booters also crossed the ball to the wrong persons whenever they had possession near the rival goal.

Domenic was substituted just after the break and Arambagh did not enjoy the situation as the Mohammedan fans started protesting vehemently, feeling cheated by their beloved team.

Jahirul Haque, a Mohammedan man throughout his life during and after a glorious playing career, admitted he was feeling ashamed too.

"People know us and when they will see this match, they will lose all respect. I feel ashamed at what I've been seeing," said Jahirul, also the chairman of the Bangladesh Football Federation's disciplinary committee, during the match.

Tournament committee chairman, former Mohammedan and national captain Zakaria Pintoo tried to avoid the media but in the end, commented: "Mohammedan are not playing as they should have been after conceding a goal."

Arambagh defender Imdadul Haque Monu then changed the scenario of the game when he sent a backpass towards his own goal, giving substitute goalkeeper Mithul no chance to stop the equaliser in the 68th minute.

The crowd got more agitated and seeing no other option, the giant in Mohammedan woke up and they changed gear. Arafat Rony drilled a low shot into the net to put his side ahead two minutes later while Nigerian player Menjamin, who replaced Walid, made it 3-1 in the 90th minute.

However, Mohammedan's pride was hardly salvaged on an evening to forget despite the late heroics.

Earlier, Youngmen's recorded their first victory in the meet with a 34th minute strike from Rony and Komol's second half brace as Victoria's winning streak ended.

Victoria Win Hearts

Victoria Sporting Club produced a heart winning performance in yesterday's Protiti Pharma Victory Day Club Cup match but that was not enough for Abu Yusuf's inexperienced boys to collect full points against Mohammedan Sporting Club.

Tournament hosts and title contenders Mohammedan not only looked out of touch but also so pathetic at times during the goalless draw that even the scanty crowd at the Bangabandhu National Stadium booed their favourite team.

Mohammedan, however, remained atop Group A with one win and a draw with Arambagh, who edged Youngmen's Club Fakirerpool 1-0 in the day's earlier match, following closely.

Both sides have four points but when they meet in tomorrow's group finale, Mohammedan will have the edge over their B. League neighbours by virtue of a better goal difference.

Victoria, after two draws in as many matches, have a good chance to reach the last four if they can beat fellow Senior Division side Youngmen's tomorrow.

Iddi Badambuze scored the all important goal for Arambagh after seven minutes when the Ugandan striker received a cross from guest midfielder Liton just inside the area and beat the opposition goalkeeper with an angular drive.

Iddi earned a penalty in the 73rd minute when he was tripped by Youngmen's defender Akramuzzaman Liton inside the penalty box but Liton's shot from the spot was saved by Mamun Khan to deny Arambagh a bigger win.

The day's second match began after a one-minute silence was observed to pay tribute to Saifuddin Ahmed Manik, a politician and sports organiser who died yesterday.

Victoria started brightly, stringing neat short passes together to unsettle the rival backline which looked too slow for the speedy youngsters of the only unbeaten side in the ongoing Senior Division League.

After failing to make most of two early freekicks, Turjo got behind the Mohammedan line in the 28th minute but the 17-year-old Victoria striker's low shot was saved by custodian Zia, who neutralised an effort by Arafat a minute later.

The lacklustre black and whites really threatened to score in the 39th minute but Charles Figo, who raced in with a through from Farhad, failed to utilise the rare chance as the Nigerian's low left-footer was palmed out by Mostafa at the Victoria goal.

Mostafa's spectacular save two minutes after the break kept Mohammedan at the bay for the rest of the game when the diving goalkeeper's reflex denied Faisal Mahmud's scorching shot from point blank range.

Mohammedan coach Shafiqul Islam Manik, who fielded six defenders, pushed in an attacking midfielder midway through the second half but the change hardly made any difference.

Polo saw his dipping freekick from 40 yards miss the mark for inches before Mithun squandered a great opportunity for the boys in green in the 76th minute.

The diminutive striker, who has scored six goals in seven Senior Division matches, caught veteran Jewel Rana on the wrong foot to get himself in a scoring position after latching onto a long ball but lost control under pressure from the lone keeper. An onrushing Polo got the loose ball but he was too late to get rid off the covering defenders.

Five minutes later, rightback Mamun fired from long range but fortunately for Mohammedan, the ball went wide of the far post after beating keeper Zia.

Meanwhile, the three-way race in Group B for the semifinal spots intensifies today with giants Abahani and Muktijoddha facing the threat of elimination in the last group match.

A victory by Badda - who upset Abahani 1-0 in the opener - against winless Dhaka Wanderers in the first match would mean bad news for Abahani who will have to beat Muktijoddha to reach the semis later in the day.

Muktijoddha, who lead the group with four points, can afford a draw in any case as Abahani and Badda both have three points.

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.

Victory Day Cup Fixture List

Eight teams will be divided into 2 groups of four. Mohammedan, Arambagh, Victoria and Youngmen's make up Group A.

Abahani, Muktijoddha, Wanderers and Badda complete Group B.

Here are the fixtures, along with the date and time (BDT):

Jan 30th: Abahani v Badda (6pm)

Jan 31st: Arambagh v Victoria (3pm), Muktijoddha v Wanderers (5pm).

Feb 1st: Mohammedan v Youngmen's 5pm)

Feb 2nd: Muktijoddha v Badda 3pm), Abahani v Wanderers (5pm)

Feb 3rd: Arambagh v Youngmen's (3pm), Mohammedan v Victoria (5pm)

Feb 4th: Badda v Wanderers (3pm), Abahani v Muktijoddha (5pm)

Feb 5th: Victoria v Youngmen's (3pm), Mohammedan v Arambagh (5pm).

Feb 7th: Semi-final 1

Feb 8th: Semi-final 2

Feb 10th: Final

Victory Day Football Starts Today

While their footballers were going through their final preparations at the tiny ground inside the club premises, Mohammedan Sporting Club officials were proudly adding the finishing touch to their efforts to hold the season's first football tournament.

The Protiti Pharma Victory Day Club Cup football tournament, organised by Mohammedan, will begin today with their arch rivals and B. League champions Abahani facing rank outsiders Badda Jagarani in the opener.

Ex-Mohammedan stars including Zakaria Pintoo, who is also the tournament committee chairman, Salam Murshedi, Shafiqul Islam Manik, Kaiser Hamid, Rumman Wali Bin Sabbir, Ayaz, Panir, Titu and Imtiaz Ahmed Nakib were present at a official briefing and signed footballs (picture) that will be gifted to the fans at galleries today.

Although a colourful opening ceremony will start at 4pm at the Bangabandhu National Stadium, the match will kick off two hours later.

Mahbub Jamil, special assistant to the Chief Adviser of the Caretaker Government, who is in charge of the sports ministry, will declare the eight-team meet open.

The tournament, due to be held in December last year, was rescheduled for a January 26 start but had to be deferred again due to inclement weather.

Apart from four professional clubs Abahani, Mohammedan, Muktijoddha and Arambagh, Senior Division sides Victoria, Badda, Wanderers and Youngmen's Club Fakirerpool are competing in two groups.

Private satellite channel ATN Bangla is expected to telecast five matches live - the opener, the group match between giants Abahani and Muktijoddha, the two semifinals on February 7 and 8 and the February 10 final.

Although the three giants suffered from frequent absence of their booters during the month-long training, the minnows have prepared well because of their involvement in the ongoing Senior Division Football League.

The relatively inexperienced booters of Wanderers, Victoria, Fakirerpool and Badda will be under the guidance of veteran coaches like Wajed Gazi, Abu Yusuf, Mohammad Faruq and Maruful Haque who would be eager to use all their guiles to upset the big names.

The Senior Division clubs, however, will face a big problem of playing two tournaments - the League and the Club Cup - simultaneously, which could well see one team playing three matches on consecutive days.

The tournament will also mark two national players' comeback to competitive football after missing an entire season due to injury, centre-back Mohammed Sujan for Abahani and Muktijoddha goalkeeper Aminul Haque, who, however, returned to top-level action last December, playing for Mohammedan as a guest player in a three-match series against Abahani.

With the transfers for the new season coming soon, the tournament could well become a stage for the clubs to look for their future.

It would also give the promising players a chance to impress in key positions in the absence of foreign players with Mohammedan and Muktijoddha each having just one overseas player and Badda two.

Each of the eight clubs get Tk 50,000 as appearance money while co-sponsors Walton and G Hanz will give awards for best spectators, best player, best organiser and best referee.

Gallery tickets will cost Tk 100 (VIP), Tk 30 (west) and Tk 20 (east).

Giants Warmed Up

All eyes will be on the three local heavyweights when the Protiti Pharma Victory Day football tournament kicks off tomorrow at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

Mohammedan Sporting Club, organisers of the eight-team event, feel they are under no pressure to keep the trophy home.

Muktijoddha Sangsad, however, want to bag the trophy after a poor 2007 and believe that the Victory Day trophy would be better displayed at the home of the freedom fighters.

For Abahani, inaugural professional league champions last year, it would be a matter of prestige and a mission to establish their supremacy in the new season.

Although there had been no football in the capital for the last six months, the players, however, would not be unprepared as they go for the meet. Numerous tournaments outside Dhaka last year provided the footballers the chance to get tuned even in the off-season.

The clubs, however, never got the chance to train as a unit for long due the booters' frequent absence for the 'khap' or trips to different districts.

Mohammedan coach Shafiqul Islam Manik said their preparation was not 'adequate'.

"Players have been busy for 'khap' but we have taken it lightly for their financial benefit. I wanted them to train together for the past week but the weather did not permit that," said Manik adding that the black and whites were in an inferior position from last year's B. League, where they finished runners-up.

"We have lost the foreign imports who shaped our professional league performance. We were even better during the three-match series against Abahani, which we won. Now several important players are injured," the former national footballer told.

First-choice goalkeeper Himel is injured; his deputy Al Amin has been released for the Senior Division League while Belal and midfielders Mithu and Ripon are also unavailable.

Manik has invited goalies Shakil and Zia, veteran defender Jewel Rana and midfielders Faisal Mahmud and Monwar from Brothers Union and Chittagong Mohammedan's Saikat to feel in the gaps. Nigerian forward Charles Figo is the only foreign recruit.

"Abahani and Muktijoddha are in better shape. Sometimes the hosts have to sacrifice and I feel we are not under pressure to win this. It would be a prestige issue for us as the three teams in our group are in form, having been playing in the Senior Division.

"They are also under good coaches like Abu Yusuf (Victoria) and Mohammad Faruk (Youngmen's) and I feel the group would be competitive."

Abahani manager Satyajit Das Rupu, also irked by the absence of players, said he wanted to have the boys in camp at least for the last week.

"But some of them went to play outside. Anyway, we have been training for one month and every time Abahani start a tournament, they eye nothing but the trophy," said the former midfield international.

The big news for the sky-blues is that defender Sujan will return to action after a yearlong injury.

"Sujan looks okay. But his fitness level will be proved in match condition," said Rupu whose guests are Farashganj striker Robin and Rahamatganj centre-back Sunny.

When asked whether the club would take this tournament to select a few new players for the coming season, Rupu said it was too early.

"Although the footballers are talking about the transfers coming soon, we are really uncertain. Let the federation give us a schedule, then we will see. But we have decided to continue camp till the AFC President's Cup in Nepal in April," added the sky-blues manager.

With Brothers and Sheikh Russel not playing, Muktijoddha have roped in one player each from the big names to strengthen their squad.

The Reds, who will miss injured veterans Moni and Matiur Munna, have added Brothers forward Manju and Russel back Hassan apart from getting back Jony, who was on loan to Chittagong Mohammedan. Arambagh's Iddi Badambuze will be their only foreign recruit.

"The players are in good shape and we have been training for one month. Its true we could not practise as a unit due to players' commitment in district tournaments. But these matches have kept us fit for the last six months as well as giving financial security," said national captain Hassan Al Mamun, who will be deputy to Muktijoddha captain Arman Mia.

"Our coach (Atiqur Rahman) allowed them to go because most of them had taken advances.

"We are serious because this is the Victory Day tournament. It would be great to win it for the freedom fighters," Hassan commented.

Victory Day Cup Delayed

The Protiti Pharma Victory Day football tournament will not start today as per schedule as inclement weather forced organisers Mohammedan Sporting Club to defer its start by four days.

The eight-team meet will now kick off on January 30 with professional league champions Abahani meeting Senior Division side Badda Jagarani in the opener at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

Following the unexpected spell of rain, the tournament committee had a meeting with all the club officials yesterday and unanimously took the decision in the wake of ground condition.

Tournament committee chairman Zakaria Pintoo, Mohammedan secretary Lokman Hossain Bhuiyan and additional general secretary Mostaqur Rahman, were present while officially announcing the decision at a press briefing, yesterday at the club tent.

Mohammedan in no Doubt

Despite the footballers' threat to boycott all competitions, Mohammedan Sporting Club officials were confident they would be able to start the Protiti Pharma Victory Day Cup football tournament on schedule.

The eight-team event is due to kick off on January 26 at Bangabandhu National Stadium.

Mohammedan's additional secretary Mostaqur Rahman said at a press conference that they were not worried about the threat because the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) on Sunday confirmed it would announce the transfer date and the yearly calendar immediately, which is the demand of the footballers.

Tournament committee chairman and former Bangladesh football captain Zakaria Pintoo announced that their preparation has all but completed for the meet.

"We are ready to stage the tournament. The members of the Swadhin Bangla Football Team have long wanted to host a victory day football tournament since and it is a dream come true for us," said the former defence stalwart, who was the captain of the Swadhin Bangla Football Team.

"We thank Mohammedan who have come forward to make it possible.

Country's professional league champions Abahani will take on Badda Jagarani in the inaugural match following a brief opening ceremony.

Mohammedan, Muktijoddha, Arambagh, Victoria, Youngmen's Club Fakirerpool and Dhaka Wanderers are the other teams to participate.

Former adviser to Caretaker Government and regulatory reform commission chairman Dr Akbar Ali is expected to inaugurate the tourney.

Pintoo said they want to revive the glory of the game with this tournament, which he believes will bring the crowds back.

Mohammedan general secretary Lokman Hossain Bhuiyan said they will give free entry to school students.

Sponsor Protiti Pharma will provide Tk 3 lakh while co-sponsors Walton and G Hanz will give other prizes.

Tournament committee secretary Jahirul Haq Chowdhury, former national booters Jahirul Islam, Kaiser Hamid, Khorshed Babul, Protiti Pharma's business development manager Habibur Rahman, Walton's assistant director (communications) Humayun Kabir were also present on the occasion.

MSC Win Charity Series

Guest goalkeeper Aminul Haque saved two penalties as Mohammedan Sporting Club produced another tiebreaker win against Abahani yesterday to lift the Teletalk Best of Three charity series 2-1.

In a repeat of the opening match, Mohammedan outplayed their arch rivals 4-2 in the penalty shootout after a scoreless 90 minutes in the third and final match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

Mohammedan won 5-4 on penalties in the first match before Abahani restored parity in the series with a 2-1 victory.

After an aggregate 14,000 turnout on the first two days, around 15,000 fans enjoyed the series finale, which meant the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) is likely to raise a fund near Tk 10 lakh - inclusive of Teletalk's Tk three lakh sponsorship - for victims of Cyclone Sidr.

The BFF's initial target was to see houseful crowd on each of the three days but it failed to even sell a total of 33,000 tickets - the official capacity of the venue.

The result in the end, would give the black and whites some solace to end the season after finishing runners-up to winners Abahani in this year's lone competition, the B. League.

It were the sky-blues who began brightly with Emily and Robin showing great skill up front. Still, Abahani missed the experience of guest striker Moni, who was absent due to a hamstring injury that saw him limp off the ground early in the previous game.

The Abahani duo, however, failed to put Aminul to the real test due to lack of finishing. Emily though, found the net in the 16th minute, but the goal was disallowed for a foul picked up by the referee's assistant.

Abahani won numerous corners without any avail against a tight five-man backline while Waly Faisal failed to keep his freekick from 25 yards under the bar as their opposition gained momentum after the half hour.

Farhad, however, blasted their only first-half chance over the bar inside from the penalty area.

Mohammedan regained defensive solidity after Hassan Al Mamun's return from a one-match suspension but for Abahani, Arif Khan Joy's comeback was not much comfortable as he became a target of the Mohammedan midfielders. The Abahani captain, who was also banned for the second match, was fouled whenever he touched the ball.

Neither side had a grip over the game in the second half but the match came alive in the last quarter with Farhad creating two superb chances. The diminutive forward first picked up Ripon 15 yards out of goal but the fullback's first-time volley sailed over before Charles Figo headed another Farhad centre wide from three yards.

Abahani had their chances in the last seven minutes but Pranotosh, who met a chip by Abul inside the six-yard box, nodded the ball wide.

Player of the series Aminul then made a couple of saves in the last five minutes, denying Abul and Emily from close range to take the match to the shootout.

The national goalkeeper, who missed an entire season through injury, first stopped Abahani's regular penalty-taker Nazrul's shot from the spot. Aminul was beaten by Emily's drive to the top left corner but put the match all but beyond Abahani by tipping Abul's shot out of his left post.

Mintu also scored for Abahani but it was not enough as all four Mohammedan penalty takers -- Ariful, Hassan Al Mamun, Farhad and Ripon -- kept their cool to beat Biplab and snatch victory.

Organising committee co-chairmen Kazi Nabil Ahmed, also an Abahani director, and Lokman Hossain, Mohammedan's general secretary, handed over the champions and runners-up trophy respectively.

BFF president SA Sultan, acting general secretary Manzoor Hossain Malu and Teletalk general manager marketing Habibur Rahman were also present.

TEAMS

Mohammedan: Aminul, Ariful, Hassan Al Mamun, Biplab, Kamal, Ripon, Sharif (Manjamin), Arman Aziz, Mithu (Mishu), Farhad and Figo (Rony).

Abahani: Biplab, Waly, Nazrul, Dominic, Mintu, Abul, Pranotosh, Joy, Munna, Emily and Robin (Zahed).

Final Charity Encounter Today

Warm-up over, Abahani and Mohammedan gear up for the third and final match of the Teletalk Series hoping that the decider will put an end to the scarcity of crowd.

With the charity series - organised by the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) to raise fund for the victims of Cyclone Sidr that ripped through the southern part of the country last month - locked 1-1, today's match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium will separate the winners.

The match will kick off at 4.30pm.

The two perennial foes' failure to attract fans in the last two matches was not totally unexpected as people have already turned their faces from the game. Even during competitive matches between the city rivals, the stadium remained half-full.

A total of 14,000 tickets worth just over Tk four lakh have been sold so far but the organisers are still hoping for a boost by the holiday crowd.

Mohammedan won the first encounter 5-4 on penalties after a goalless draw in regulation 90 minutes but Abahani bounced back with a 2-1 victory in the second match to level the scores.

Abahani captain Arif Khan Joy and Mohammedan's guest defender Hassan Al Mamun, who were sent off during the incident-packed first game, will return after serving one-match bans.

On the other hand, black and whites coach Shafiqul Islam Manik who inspired his boys to walk off the ground in protest of a disallowed goal also in the inaugural match, will also be available at the Mohammedan bench after serving a touchline ban.

It would be a challenge for Manik who looks forward to record a win in normal time after failing to beat B. League champions Abahani so far this season.

B. League runners-up Mohammedan had lost one and drew the other game in the professional league before managing to beat the sky-blues in the tiebreaker on last Monday.

Everyone, however, hopes that return of the key figures would be for the better and the most popular clubs of the country will show patience instead of repeating typical on and off the field antics and disappoint their devotees.

Abahani Level Charity Series

Guest footballer Matiur Munna set up a first-half goal for Abul Hossain and scored the other after the break to help Abahani come back in the Teletalk Best of Three Series with a 2-1 win over arch rivals Mohammedan yesterday.

Abahani's win levelled the three-match charity series 1-1 after Mohammedan, who wasted one penalty and converted the other through Jumratul Islam Mithu on the night, had won Monday's opening match 5-4 in the tiebreaker after a goalless draw in regulation 90 minutes.

The target of the football series - to raise a considerable fund for the cyclone victims - however, hardly fulfilled as the number of spectators reduced even after the dramatic first match, where two booters were sent off, the referee was show-caused and Mohammedan coach Shafiqul Islam Manik was handed a touchline ban.

Before a meagre 6,000 fans, Mohammedan looked more positive for the first half hour. The black and whites, however, wasted great chances to take the lead and seal the series even before Abahani had settled on the pitch.

Farhad sent a fine chip from the left just after two minutes but Abahani's Ugandan defender Dominic headed out the ball with Nigerian striker Charles Figo closing in on a free header.

Farhad again caught the rival backline flat-footed from a corner but Mishu failed to connect the ball from six yards.

Moni, the sky-blues' visiting striker from Muktijoddha, limped off the ground due to a hamstring injury in the ninth minute and Abahani's miseries extended a couple of minutes later when Abul conceded a penalty, while tripping overlapping rival fullback Kamal inside the box.

Biplab proved it was not going to be Mohammedan's day when the Abahani keeper dived to his left to tip the spot kick by Arman Aziz onto his sidebar for a fellow defender to kick it out of danger.

With Pradeep, stand-in captain in absence of Joy who was red carded on Monday beside Mohammedan's Hassan Al Mamun, operating as rightback, the Abahani defence gradually regained solidity as Nazrul and Dominic finally showed some understanding.

It resulted in a few counter attacks but the lead came from a set piece in the 33rd minute. Munna lofted a freekick from the left and Abul's glancing header gave Aminul no chance at the Mohammedan goal as the ball slammed into the far corner.

Abahani doubled the lead just two minutes into the second session although Mohammedan players strongly appealed for an offside against Munna.

The midfielder took a corner from the right and the ball went to Robin and the Farashganj striker chipped a crossfield pass back to Munna, who flicked the ball past Aminul and toed it into an empty goal.

Figo, who twice threatened to score but failed to bea