A Mohammedan affair

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Chittagong Mohammedan made history when they reached the semifinals of the Citycell Federation Cup for the first time yesterday.

Goalkeeper Mamun Khan saved two penalties as the port city side set a semifinal clash with their more illustrious Dhaka namesakes when they ended BKSP’s impressive run with a 4-2 tiebreakers victory after the last quarterfinal ended 1-1 in extra time at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

The Dhaka and Chittagong Mohammedans will play the second semifinal tomorrow.

Both sides came to the quarterfinal unbeaten but the B. League outfit had an edge over the students of BKSP in the first half, taking a 1-0 lead.

Ridon shot Chittagong Mohammedan ahead in the 39th minute with a spectacular first-time volley from 15 yards after skipper Daulat sent a cross from the right.

Daulat had also created the first chance for the Chittagong black and whites when he picked up foreign recruit Tommy with a through after 18 minutes. But Tommy toe-poked the chance over the bar near from the penalty spot.

The students of the Savar sport institute, who played brilliant football against their matured opponents in the competition and go out with their heads high after remaining unbeaten in all eight games before eventually losing on penalties, had their chances before the break but Sumon and Royal fluffed good opportunities.

Sumon twice forced fine saves by goalkeeper Mamun Khan, who held a long range shot by the striker on the line before rushing out of his goal to deny a solo run.

Royal on the other hand, saw his delicately placed effort miss the far post by inches.

Just before Ridon had scored, the Chittagong striker set another chance for Tommy who failed to take advantage of a rebound off BKSP goalie Mustak.

Indian coach Birumal’s boys had a better second half but Manik was denied by woodwork when his freekick from 30 yards came off the crosspiece in the 55th minute.

Sabuj finally equalised 11 minutes from regulation time when the striker received a high ball by substitute Rabi to race past two rival defenders before chipping the ball over Mamun Khan and into the net.

Ridon could have finished the job inside 90 minutes but he failed to control the ball inside the box three minutes from the final whistle.

After an even extra half-hour, BKSP’s saviour Sabuj — who got five goals in the meet — let his side down when he failed to beat Mamun from the spot in their first attempt from the spot. Rabi found the rival goalie in the fourth shot for BKSP after Rana and Manik had converted their chances.

On the other hand, Tommy squandered his spotkick but goals by Dhinan, Pavel, Daulat and lastly, Shawkat, ensured Chittagong Mohammedan’s passage to the last four.

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