Tug of War Likely Over Swadhinata Cup

The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) looks set for a collision course with Muktijoddha Sangsad Krira Chakra over the Swadhinata Cup football tournament.

With the National Sports Council seemingly exiting the scene after initially showing interest, both parties would be kept waiting to get the authority to organise the proposed tournament next month.

"It is in our calendar. So we will organise it in March. We have also talked with the ministry for a number of times in this regard," said Manzoor Hossain Malu, acting general secretary of BFF, which yesterday named an organising committee with Akhter Hossain Khan as chairman and Mozammel Haque Mukta as secretary.

Muktijoddha Sangsad under the auspices of the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs organised the first edition of the meet in 2005 in association with the BFF.

"It is our tournament and we are going to hold it. Last year we could not do it because of the lack of a ground," said Muktijoddha football team manager Abdus Sattar.

"We are thinking about bringing foreign teams this time. We have discussed this with the ministry but nothing has been finalised yet," he added.

Sources said that clubs from India and Oman could be invited to join top local clubs.

The trophy is also given by Muktijoddha Sangsad, who kept the title home after beating Brothers Union in the final.

Muktijoddha Out, Badda and Abahani in Semis

Zahed Parvez fired Abahani into the semifinals of the Protiti Pharma Victory Day Club Cup football tournament with one spectacular goal and an assist for Zahid Hassan Emily as the sky-blues knocked Muktijoddha Sangsad out of the competition with a 2-0 win yesterday.

B. League champions Abahani finished Group B runners-up to Senior Division side Badda Jagarani, who crushed Dhaka Wanderers 4-1 in the day's earlier match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium to win the group by virtue of a better goal difference.

Both teams ended level on six points while ousted professional league giants Muktijoddha were left in the cold with four points following their first defeat in the event.

In the day's first match, surprise pack of the tournament Badda displayed a lively brand of football to outplay fellow Senior Division side Wanderers.

Striker Rana, who set skipper Mintu to head home the opening goal after 26 minutes, doubled the lead in the 50th minute with a placing shot from close.

Wanderers reduced the arrears in the 70th minute when substitute Ashraful nodded in a pinpoint cross by left back and captain Jahangir but two late goals gave Badda the biggest victory of the tournament as well as the group championship.

Nasir picked up a weak clearance by rival goalie Niloy just outside the area and made it 3-1 with a clinical finish five minutes from time while Komol coolly placed the ball into the far corner after taking a square pass from man-of-the-match Rana in injury time.

Abahani, who suffered a shock 1-0 loss to Badda in the tournament opener, were under pressure to win the group finale but Muktijoddha, who needed just one point to join Badda in the last four, went for a draw from the start.

Maybe, this negative attitude resulted in too many fouls early into the crucial game with three Reds players being booked inside the first half hour compared to one from Abahani.

Kanchan was perhaps the luckiest player to play the full 90 minutes as he escaped with a yellow card following an off-the-ball infringement on Abahani midfielder Abul in the first half while his intentional handball after the break was surprisingly ignored by referee Ramkrishna Ghosh.

Muktijoddha, however, got the first real chance when Arman's superb overhead through picked up Alfaz unmarked at the left flank but the veteran striker's first-time volley hit the crossbar much to the relief of a 3,000-strong Abahani fans.

Abahani got the breakthrough one minute before halftime when Ujjal's solo move down the left unsettled the three-man Muktijoddha central defence.

After two efforts to shoot on goal were spoiled by opposition challenge inside the penalty area, Ujjal rolled the ball back towards Zahed whose low left-footed drive from 20 yards gave Aminul no chance at the goal.

Abahani came close to make it 2-0 in the stoppage time but Tipu's curling freekick was brilliantly palmed over the bar by Aminul.

Aminul saved a drop-volley by Tipu while Alfaz shot the ball over in an otherwise dull second half when the sky-blues played the waiting game in a bid to hold onto the slim lead.

It paid off when a sudden burst by Zahed helped Abahani seal the victory in the 77th minute. The diminutive winger, adjudged man-of-the-match, chased a long pass from the midfield and sent a crossfield centre from the right flank for an onrushing Emily to nod the ball into Aminul's left-hand post.

Down and out, Muktijoddha never had the steam to come back from two goals down and avoid a premature exit.

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.

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.

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.

Champs Abahani Sign Off in Style

Abahani's championship party turned festive as they celebrated their B. League title with a 1-0 win over Muktijoddha in a heavyweight Dhaka derby yesterday.

Blue was the colour of the day and although the Abahani gallery only was half-full, there was no shortage of lively dancing amidst drumbeats after substitute Zahed Parvez separated the two sides in the 73rd minute.

As soon as both sides' last match of the competition finished, fans began to spray colours on each other and the officials and staff were no exception as they garlanded the players, coach and manager at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

The sky-blues, who had ensured the trophy of the inaugural professional football league in their 19th and penultimate round beating Sheikh Russel 2-0, finished on 47 points, eight points ahead of runners-up Mohammedan who have a match in hand to try and trim the gap.

Muktijoddha's fifth loss in 20 matches kept them at third place but fourth-placed Russel can overtake the Reds with a win in their away match against Chittagong Mohammedan tomorrow, the concluding day of the 11-team league.

Abahani, who began with an 11-match unbeaten record, never looked content just with the crown as it so often happened in the past. And they proved on the pitch they wanted to sign off with a victory.

The determination resulted in Amalesh Sen's side, who had drew goalless with the same opposition in the league opener on March 2, enjoying absolute domination as Muktijoddha looked like a ship without sails in absence of a coach.

The Reds, one of the pre-tournament favourites, not only were the flop of the season but in-house politics also saw the giants without coach Abu Yusuf's services for the last couple of games.

Like their previous game, Yusuf was at the tent on request of club officials but had no says.

Abahani kept the rival backline on its toes and defender Nazrul's 21st minute flick on a freekick by Abdullah Parvez came off the defensive wall. Four minutes later, Abul sliced through two defenders but his low drive was collected by goalkeeper Titumir in his second attempt.

Nazrul, performer of the season, then backheaded a corner by Ujjal only to be denied by the crossbar on the half hour before Emily fluffed a sitter on stroke of halftime.

After Ibrahim's hard work at the right, Abul stopped the ball for Emily but Abahani's 12-goal star striker saw his placing shot blocked by the last defender.

After Muktijoddha's all first-half efforts were caught in Abahani's offside traps, they reorganised to have territorial advantage for ten minutes after resumption.

The sky-blues, however, turned on the style after the hour mark with the indefatigable Ibrahim coming close twice.

The Ghanaian was denied by Hassan Al Mamun's timely interception before Titumir pulled off a superb one-handed save at his near post after Ibrahim raced into the box and hammered from close.

Emily, who netted ten time in his last nine matches, got a great chance in the 70th minute when Ibrahim and Tipu exchanged passes between them to set the national striker but Titumir once again rushed out of his line to snatch the ball.

The pressure told three minutes later when Maruf conceded a freekick just outside their area, tripping Ibrahim dangerously.

Ibrahim, who immediately retaliated by hitting Maruf, was lucky to escape with a caution instead of a red card from referee Mansoor Azad.

The resulting freekick put Abahani ahead as Ibrahim chipped the ball over the wall for Joy, whose mistimed header found substitute Zahed at the right side and the unmarked midfielder, who replaced Abul eight minutes earlier, volleyed a first-time shot into the back of the net.

The joy of Abahani's 14th win, however, ended up with a Tk 10,000 fine as custodian Biplab became the fourth player in the sky-blue shirt to receive a yellow card just after making an outstanding save in the 90th minute. It was Maruf who had the only serious attempt on the rival goal in the 90th minute but his long-range shot was tipped wide by a full-stretched Biplab.

Russel Crush Hapless Reds

Sheikh Russel scored thrice inside last 16 minutes to crush coach-less Muktijoddha 3-0 in the B. League at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

Moroccan midfielder Saad Abdul Fetah was inspirational behind all the goals, for fellow countryman Touati Younes and substitutes Kaiser and Nayan, as Russel reached within one point of Muktijoddha to brighten their chances to finish among the top three in the inaugural professional football league.

Struggling giants Muktijoddha had Abu Yusuf at the bench but the coach was a showpiece with team non-technical officials taking over.

Yusuf had a row with senior players - ignored by the coach due to lack of fitness - who had arguments with him a couple of days ago and reportedly humiliated the ex-national player.

With the club officials taking sides with players, Yusuf decided not to continue with Muktijoddha further.

“I have cut ties with this team. The officials requested me to stay at the bench in Muktijoddha's last two matches and that is why I am here,” Yusuf told after the match.

Muktijoddha, who remained on 33 points after their fourth defeat and second to Russel this season following a 2-1 loss in the first leg, have one match to go against current leaders Abahani in the final round.

Russel, on the other hand, reached 32 points from 18 outings. Wajed Gazi's boys have a six-point deficit with Abahani and need to win their remaining two matches to go atop the table, provided the leaders and second-placed Mohammedan lose all their games.

Muktijoddha had Arman in the starting line-up after being sidelined by Yusuf throughout the second leg and the veteran midfielder hardly made any difference.

Russel took early control with Younes threatening to score after ten minutes but the striker's first-time volley on Bulbul's centre went just wide.

Fetah, who had a very good match, twice tested rival keeper Titumir with long-range freekicks while Muktijoddha's only chance before the break was provided by Alfaz but his chip from right was headed wide by Kanchan under pressure from a Russel defender.

Titumir pulled off a fine save five minutes after resumption when the Muktijoddha keeper came out of his line to palm away Bulbul's powerful drive outside from the box.

An otherwise dull Brahim then created the best chance for the Reds when he released a low drive from 40 yards on the hour. The ball took a wicked drop to unsettle Russel shotstopper Zia who lost it but a lurking Kanchan failed to keep his shot on the rebound under the bar from ten yards.

Fetah wasted a chance ten minutes later but he initiated a move for Younes's seventh league goal in the 74th minute. Bulbul, who got possession after the Moroccan's hard work at left, cut the ball back to Younes, who got enough time on the edge of the area to adjust to an awkward bounce and put a sublime right-footed drop-volley into the left hand post of Titumir, flat-footing four rival backs inside the box.

Titumir did well to block another Younes effort while the Muktijoddha attackers hopelessly saw a series of shots during a melee failing to beat a forest of rival legs as the match entered the last five minutes.

Fetah then released Kaiser in the 90th minute with a brilliant diagonal pass to help Russel put the result beyond any doubt. Titumir left his post but the diving goalie lost the ball under pressure from Kaiser, who made no mistake to sidefoot into an open goal.

Russel added more salt to the Reds' wounds in the second minute of the stoppage time when Younes, getting the ball from Fetah, squared the ball from the right. Hassan Al Mamun fumbled on a regular clearance, giving an unmarked Nayan all the time to drill home to seal the victory.

Arambagh Stun Reds

Arambagh dented Muktijoddha's slender title hopes when they came from a goal down to upset the depleted local giants 2-1 in yesterday's B. League match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

Alfaz Ahmed put Muktijoddha ahead after 36 minutes with his eighth league goal but the lead was short lived as Iddi Badambuze equalised on the stroke of halftime.

Captain Kallol Kumar Ghosh Zuku then sealed Arambagh's victory early into the second half with a spectacular long-range effort that also helped them take revenge of a 1-0 loss to Muktijoddha in the first leg.

A win would have taken the Reds back to the top of the table but coach Abu Yusuf, without four major players - Rajani, Titu, Saiful and Parvez Babu - in the injury list, were forced to field a weak side.

However, they drew the first blood only to see Alfaz firing the ball straight to Arambagh keeper Piru in the 18th minute after a through from Hassan Al Mamun, who had to switch to leftback in absence of Titu and Parvez.

In the next minute, Zuku came close to score after receiving a square pass from Kenyan striker Nicodemus but the midfielder's shot from the edge of the area was saved by Titumir in his second attempt at the Muktijoddha goal.

In an open battle, Muktijoddha created another chance but Matiur Munna failed to beat Piru's gloves inside from the box in the 32nd minute.

The pressure told four minutes later when ex-national striker Alfaz latched with a right-side centre by Moroccan midfielder Brahim to dodge past rival centre-back Akram and place a left-footer past a helpless Piru.

Iddi scored his fourth goal to score level for Arambagh in the 45th minute when the Ugandan nodded home a cross by Kenyan midfielder Domenic.

Zuku then pulled off a stunner in the 67th minute to give Arambagh the lead when he picked up a headed clearance by Muktijoddha's Ghanaian defender Ghansah near the centre-circle. The longhaired skipper ran down the middle and hammered a pile driver into the back of the net on the trot from 30 yards, giving Titumir no chance to react.

Substitute Kanchan threatened to bring Muktijoddha back when he was set by Moni but the winger only rattled the crossbar to waste their last chance.

Arambagh had a chance to increase the margin six minutes from time but Iddi, who controlled Domenic's freekick, screwed his short over the bar with only Titumir to beat.

Muktijoddha remained on 33 points after 18 games, two points behind current leaders Abahani who have played a couple of matches less. Muktijoddha will play Sheikh Russel and Abahani in their remaining league games.

Arambagh on the other hand, came level with Brothers on 23 points after their seventh win in 17 outings.

Reds Stay Alive

Muktijoddha overcame the challenge of ten-man Khulna Abahani yesterday to take temporary lead in the B. League with a 4-2 win at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

The home side, who drew 1-1 in their Khulna trip in the first leg, were held by an identical margin at the break with Tajul cancelling Muktijoddha's early lead given by Moni.

The Reds, however, killed the game midway through the second half with Moroccan midfielder Brahim scoring with a sublime skill just after setting up one for Maruf.

Mamun inspired Khulna's fightback with another superb strike but Brahim also had a hand in Alfaz's goal that sealed the victory one minute from time to secure Muktijoddha's ninth victory.

Abu Yusuf's boys topped the table with 33 points after 17 games but Abahani and Mohammedan, on 32 and 29 points respectively, both have a couple of matches in hand.

In a bid to brighten their slim title hopes, Muktijoddha mounted early pressure and went ahead in the fifth minute after Alfaz and Brahim blew close chances.

Arman Aziz picked up Moni with a through from the middle and the captain, despite tight marking on the edge of the area, chipped a left footer past an onrushing Abahani goalie Iran.

The sky-blues from the southern port-city, who had upset local giants like Brothers and Abahani in the first leg, regrouped with neat passes in the middle and pushed their mighty opposition on the defensive.

A freekick just outside the Muktijoddha box in the 25th minute brought the visitors back when midfielder Tajul hammered the ball into goalkeeper Titumir's top left corner after Prashanta had pushed the dead ball low past the wall.

Mamun looked dangerous but Titumir's fine save and Ghanaian centre-back Ghansah's timely interception kept the Khulna forward at bay before halftime.

The Reds came out after the break with a purpose and following blank fires by Alfaz, Munna and Maruf, the pressure told in the 62nd minute.

After hard work at the right, Brahim released a teasing through that missed a sliding Alfaz in front of the goal but Maruf, rearing at the far post, slammed a left-footer into the back of the net for his maiden league goal.

A minute later, the holding midfielder was thoughtlessly fouled by Khulna's Khalid Saifullah, who was immediately sent off for his second bookable offence.

Each side missed a good chance before Brahim raced past half of the rival players including goalkeeper Iran to complete a 50-yard run and place the ball into an open goal to make it 3-1 in the 70th minute.

Mamun was equally brilliant to reduce the arrears seven minutes from time when the Abahani striker, who also scored against Muktijoddha back home, weaved through the whole opposition backline - Saiful, Deen Mohammed, Ghansah and Hassan Al Mamun - from the left flank before drilling a low drive into the far corner.

Muktijoddha held their nerves in the dying minutes and Afaz, seconds before being substituted, shrugged off Abahani captain Ashraf's challenge near the seven-yard box to control a square pass by Brahim and shoot home for his seventh league goal.

The defeat, Khulna Abahani's 10th in outings, saw them climb down to second-from bottom with 12 points.

Reds' Super Sub Biddyut Saves the Day

A late strike by Ajmal Hossain Biddyut salvaged a lacklustre Muktijoddha with a solitary goal victory against Brothers Union in yesterday's B. League.

The Dhaka derby between two top teams at the Bangabandhu National Stadium was anything but flashy and Brothers dominated the better part of the proceedings.

However, substitute Biddyut separated the two sides ten minutes from time with his first touch of the game as the Reds returned to the top of the table with 30 points from 16 games.

Still, Abu Yusuf's side are not prepared to celebrate knowing their position is not consolidated with Abahani and Mohammedan chasing just one point adrift, having two and one matches in hand respectively.

Brothers meanwhile, all but gave up hopes of staying in contention following their second defeat to Muktijoddha in the season. The Oranges, who suffered their fourth defeat and have yet to win a big match, stuck to 23 points after 15 outings.

Muktijoddha once again left veterans Arman Mia and Alfaz Ahmed out of the squad and Kanchan, who got his second consecutive start, set up his striking partner Moni with a perfect cross after 14 minutes. But the Muktijoddha skipper's effort from the edge of the area was spectacularly punched out by Nizam at the Brothers goal.

Syed Nayeemuddin's boys picked up the game afterwards with Elijah Junior, top scorer of the competition with 14 goals, being inspirational. But the Nigerian striker's hard work went in vain as his teammates wasted a series of chances.

Monwar had the entire far post to send his shot after meeting a header by Junior on the half hour but the midfielder blasted his shot over the lone keeper from a tight angle. Two minutes later Junior's freekick from the left side of the box was dangerously curling when Titumir made a diving save to keep it at bay.

Junior then saw his partner Manju fluff two chances inside the first five minutes of the second half. Both the times, the striker failed to keep his shot on target and was immediately substituted by Tapu, whose first touch on the ball from seven yards went straight to goalkeeper Titumir after Shakil had done the spadework.

Muktijoddha got the match winner against run of play in the 80th minute when Maruf initiated a move down the middle. The midfielder picked Moni at the right flank where the Reds captain evaded Masud Rana's final charge and chipped the ball for Biddyut to nod home seconds after replacing Moroccan recruit Brahim.

Brothers almost got the equaliser a couple of minutes later but Tapu's header on a centre by Liton was palmed out by Titumir. The ball went on to hit the underside of the crossbar and dropped on the line before fullback Titu made the final clearance and ensure three points for Muktijoddha.

Another Blow for Reds

Muktijoddha joined Sheikh Russel as B. League's joint leaders but gave away the chance to take solo lead when they were held by Farashganj to a goalless draw yesterday.

The Reds came level with Russel on 27 points after 15 outings but both the sides are in danger of being overtaken by Abahani or Mohammedan pretty soon.

Abahani, who play the last match of the ongoing 16th week today, need to beat their namesakes from Chittagong to move to the top alone as they have 26 points from 13 games.

Mohammedan, resting this week, are also on 26 points but have played one match more than their arch rivals Abahani.

Like Farashganj, their old-Dhaka neighbours Rahamatganj also drew yesterday's match when they shared points with Chittagong Mohammedan away in the port city.

Asif Yusuf opened the scoring for the hosts after 66 minutes at the MA Aziz Stadium in Chittagong but Rahamatganj's Nigerian striker Felix made it 1-1 ten minutes later with his third goal in five matches.

Both Farashganj and Chittagong Mohammedan finished the round with 18 points while bottom-table Rahamatganj raised their collection to nine.

Meanwhile, Muktijoddha once again paid for lack of discipline at the Bangabandhu National Stadium to slump to their second successive draw.

Held by Chittagong Mohammedan 1-1 in the previous round, Abu Yusuf's boys enjoyed superior possession but failed to get beyond an otherwise tight Farashganj defence led by Faisal.

After a quiet first half hour, Muktijoddha won a freekick just outside the penalty box but Matiur Munna failed to keep his shot from the setpiece under the bar.

Shortly before the break, the riversiders got a golden chance when Kutub's through ball split the Muktijoddha backline but Nigerian forward Luxon Puma drove the ball wide inside from the area.

Desperate to gain momentum in the title race, Muktijoddha pressed hard early in the second half but Kanchan, who retained his place in the starting line-up in absence of veteran Alfaz, nodded a cross by Moroccan midfielder Brahim onto the crossbar in the 51st minute.

Titu then let fly a scorching left-footer from 30 yards but the national fullback's effort skimmed the post.

Coach Yusuf made all three changes but it were Farashganj who came close to snatch a win in the last ten minutes.

Robin, who had scored both goals in their 2-2 first-leg draw against Muktijoddha, set Puma with a brilliant pass from the dead-ball line in the 80th minute. However, unmarked Puma's low drive went for a corner off a deflection.

Titumir's legwork then saved Muktijoddha's blushes seconds into the injury time as the goalkeeper cleared Rony's close-range effort on one-on-one.

A corner by substitute Enamul in the rest of the stoppage time raised hopes of full three points for Muktijoddha but Kanchan nodded the ball over in what was the last real chance of the game.

An Eventful Draw

Ten-man Mohammedan were held by Muktijoddha to a 1-1 draw in yesterday's action-packed B. League match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

Even playing with one man down for the last 15 minutes following Nigerian striker Emeka's send-off decision, the black and whites dominated the show and should consider themselves unfortunate not to leave the ground with maximum points.

The Dhaka derby, which began after a drizzle, was contrasting to the drab first leg match that Muktijoddha won 1-0. And they looked like heading for a similar course when Moroccan midfielder Brahim put the Reds ahead after 13 minutes against run of play.

Mohammedan secured one valuable point when Nigerian midfielder Divine slotted a late equaliser from a rebound on Emeka's freekick.

After 12 matches, both Mohammedan and Muktijoddha came level with Abahani on 22 points but the latter have a match in hand.

On a slippery pitch, defensive error almost cost Muktijoddha the lead in the fifth minute when Enamul found open space at the right flank. But his square pass was timely cleared by Hassan Al Mamun from the goalmouth before the rival strikers could get near it.

There was an appeal for penalty when Muktijoddha's half-fit goalkeeper Titumir brought Divine down but referee Tayeb Hassan awarded a reverse decision, calling Paul's earlier tackle on Titumir a foul.

Mohammedan kept the momentum but Mamun, who returned to the side after missing one match, proved his worth when the ex-national rightback dispossessed rival skipper Paul inside the box.

A pathetic piece of defending during a Muktijoddha counter attack, however, allowed Brahim to pick up the ball near the halfway line, dash down the middle without any challenge and score from the top of the box with a left-footed chip into Himel's near post.

Matiur Munna should have given the Reds a 2-0 cushion four minutes later but the experienced playmaker, singled out by a genius through pass from Moni, delayed his shot inside from the box only to see Odafe snatch the ball recovering from behind.Both sides wasted half chances before Mohammedan came alive with a pair of changes in the second half, which started in adequate light as the floodlights were switched on after a considerable delay. Shafiqul Islam Manik pushed Belal and Rony and the latter, who replaced Sentu in the middle, was particularly impressive.

The winger, taking a pass from Emeka, saw his shot saved by Titumir who soon tipped over a dipping long-range volley from Kamal.

The pressure told in the 64th minute as Titumir, trying to grip a curling freekick by Emeka from 25 yards, palmed the ball towards his own goal to gift a free header to Divine who found the back of the net from a handshaking distance.

An apparently clean Emeka goal was ruled out for offside in the 70th minute and four minutes later, the Nigerian was booked for the second time for an unnecessary mid-pitch tackle that will keep him out of next week's crucial game against archrivals Abahani.

Abu Yusuf's boys briefly edged the Mohammedan backline and substitute Enamul, picked by Moni's square pass inside the area, failed to beats the stretching hands of a diving Himel, who later kept a low drive by Maruf out for a corner.

The black and whites created two openings in the dying minutes but Rony failed to keep his swerving shot under the bar while a brilliant sliding tackle by Maruf in the 90th minute denied league's top-scorer Paul, who should have released the ball to an unmarked Rony instead of holding the ball too long for personal glory.

Muktijoddha Take Sweet Revenge

Muktijoddha took revenge of their away defeat to Chittagong Mohammedan in the B. League when the Dhaka giants recorded a 2-1 win over the visitors in the opening match of the second leg at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

Veteran Alfaz Ahmed opened the account after 12 minutes while Parvez Babu doubled the lead midway through the first half as the Reds took lead in the table with 21 points. It could well be temporary as a win will put either Mohammedan or Sheikh Russel on the top of the table by the end of the ongoing 12th round.

The Chittagong side, who had upset Muktijoddha 1-0 in the first leg, pulled one goal back through Asif Yousuf's 58th minute penalty and stuck to 17 points.

Abu Yusuf left a number of veterans in the bench and got immediate reward for fielding a younger team as young Enamul Hossain's lively display created early openings for Muktijoddha.

Hassan Al Mamun and skipper Moni both served the bench while Arman even failed to find a place in the first 18 for the Reds, who lost stand-in captain Ghansah just 20 minutes after kick-off.

The Ghanaian centre-back limped off the ground shortly after Alfaz latched on a right-side cross by Titu to score his fifth league goal. However, it was Enamul who was in the heart of the counter attack, picking up the ball from deep before feeding overlapping rightback Titu.

Muktijoddha, however, could have gone ahead in the fourth minute when Matiur Munna's 30-yard powerful drive beat Mohammedan goalie Tito but came off the base of the sidebar.

Tito once again showed his weakness in low balls when the keeper conceded the second goal at his near post when leftback Parvez drilled the ball through a forest of legs after Enamul's effort was cleared by the rival defenders out of their area.

The black and whites from Chittagong hardly looked like the outfit that impressed everyone in the first leg but showed signs of a comeback when Asif's freekick from the right curled away from the far post on the stroke of the breather

Enamul should have scored 12 minutes after resumption but the young striker miskicked the ball from ten yards after hard work by Titu.

In the very next minute, the tourists got a lifeline when their Liberian striker Momolu earned a penalty when he was tripped inside the box by substitute defender Deen Mohammed.

Asif coolly fired the ball into the top right corner from the spot, giving goalkeeper Titumir no chance to react.

Asif left the ground three minutes later and his replacement Pavel wasted a chance in the 73rd minute, failing to keep his shot under the crossbar. The pressure continued and Muktijoddha, running out of steam, survived again a couple of minutes later when Sohel's header on a corner went just wide.

Yusuf pushed fresh legs and Kanchan set a chance for Titu who failed to test the opposition custodian near from the penalty spot, submitting a feeble shot straight to Tito.

In injury time, both sides invaded the rival boxes but Momolu lost possession and an exhausted Alfaz, kept on the pitch as the coach ran out of options having made all three changes, took a pathetic effort that flew miles over the bar.

Sheikh Russel Scalp Muktijoddha

Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra bounced back into the title race in style when they handed a 2-1 defeat to start-studded Muktijoddha Sangsad in their B. League encounter at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

Smarting from their 1-0 reverse against Arambagh last week, Russel rode on their Moroccan recruits to snatch full points from the on paper formidable all-Reds.

Ighir Mohamed and Touati Youness struck in the first half with strikes that finally separated the teams as Muktijoddha only managed to grab themselves a consolation via an effort by the ageing Matiur Munna in the second half.

With the outcome Russel improved their tally to 18 points to share the top slot with Muktijoddha, who finished the first-leg campaign remaining at same 18 points from ten games, although they have played one match less than their opponents.

Russel will play their last first-leg match against Dhaka Abahani.

Moroccan midfielder Ighir drew first blood to put Russel ahead in the 30th minute when he dodged past mercurial defender Rajani after receiving the ball from a chip from his compatriot Bourdif Mohamed to beat the onrushing Mukti custodian Titumir Chowdhury, who dived right but couldn't clutch the bouncing ball.

Russel took full control of the match before the breather as the lanky Moroccan striker Youness headed in Ighir cross from around the penalty spot, although his effort took some help to find the back of the net, bouncing first off the bar and then striking the unfortunate Titumir on the back before trickling in to double Russel's advantage.

Muktijoddha regrouped in the second session to raid the opponents territory and veteran midfielder Matiur Munna pulled one back with a stunning right footer from the left side of the D-box fed by skipper Moni (2-1) in the 69th minute.

But before that Moroccan Brahim Buzziber was close to reducing the margin in the early minutes of the second half but his header from left-back Titoo's cross just flew over the crosspiece.

In the 74th minute Brahim's long-range shot beat Russel goalkeeper Shakil but defender Aminul salvaged the party with a goalline save by a header.

With just three minutes left before the final whistle Muktijoddha SKC got their last chance to restore parity but Munna from a vintage position failed to connect with a left-flank long throw from substitute forward Enamul Huq.

Munna Puts Reds Atop

Matiur Munna's first-half strike lifted Muktijoddha to the top of the B. League table with a hard fought 1-0 win over Arambagh yesterday.

Arambagh, also contenders to become the table-toppers after upsetting Sheikh Russel in the previous round, were undone by the national midfielder's first-time volley in the 38th minute before almost empty stands of the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

After equal exchange of possession, a counter attack inspired by Arman unsettled the rival defence when he found Moni at the right flank. The Reds skipper finally passed the ball to Brahim and the Moroccan's pinpoint square pass across the pitch fell to Munna who made no mistake to glide the ball into the left hand post of Arambagh goalkeeper Mitul.

In a match that could have gone either way, both sides tested the opposition goalies with long-range shots before Moni's 12th minute overhead pass set Alfaz with the first real chance. But the veteran striker, who did well to beat an offside trap, ran too wide with the ball to lose the advantage against the lone keeper.

Arambagh top-scorer Nicodemus then fluffed the easiest opportunity of the day in the 26th minute. The quick-footed Kenyan forward, who snatched the ball outsmarting three lurking Muktijoddha backs midway through the rival half, raced into the rival area without any challenge but unbelievably shot the ball over the bar from six yards.

This came just two minutes after Arambagh suffered a huge blow when their Kenyan defender Thomas Biketi was forced off the field due to an injury.

Arambagh were virtually playing with ten men as the management kept the pathetic Tabith Awal, who hardly touched the ball, on the pitch till 44 minutes. Ritu's arrival strengthen their attack after the break and Nicodemus, who has scored five goals so far, hit the sidenetting just after resumption before setting the ball for an overlapping Sharif who blasted over from 20 yards.

Abu Yusuf's boys, who also created and missed numerous half chances, hit back with a series of raids as the match approached the hour-mark. Alfaz once again got himself into a threatening position with Moni's through ball but the ageing forward's lack of pace gave Arambagh centre-back Akram enough time to run from behind and shield a powerful shot.

Munna then chipped the ball over from the edge of the area while fullback Titu fired a low drive just wide after a superb combined attack.

Arambagh, who stuck to fifth place with 13 points from eight games, worked hard in the last 20 minutes in a bid to reach the top spot for the first time but Titumir made two fine saves at the Reds goal to keep their slim lead intact.

Titumir, who has been playing regularly in absence of injured first choice keeper Aminul from the start of the season, kept out a low curling freekick by Domenic out of his goal before holding a long-range effort by rival captain Zuku on the line.

With five wins in nine games, Muktijoddha pushed their tally to 18 points and Abahani, who host Khulna Abahani in their eighth game tomorrow, are likely to join them at the end of the ninth week.

Brothers Hold Abahani, Muktijoddha Draw at Khulna