Dhaka – Muktijoddha Sangsad Krira Chakra earned their first win in the ongoing TVS 31st Federation Cup Football Tournament beating newcomers Uttar Baridhara Sporting Club by 2-1 goals in Group D match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium (BNS) here on Tuesday.
With the day’s feat, the three-time Federation Cup Champions Muktijoddha collected four points from two matches with one win and one draw while Uttar Baridhara yet to open the account.
Guinean forward Ismail Bangura and Japanese Norito Hash Higuchi netted one goal each for the freedom fighters team Muktijoddha while Gambian Darboe Landing netted the lone goal for Uttar Baridhara SC.
In the first half of the day’s match, Muktijoddha SKC started an attacking football from the very beginning, but Bangladesh Championship League Runners-up Uttar Baridhara SC denied all of their efforts and also made several eye-catching attempts from counter-attack.
In the 40th minute, Uttar Baridhara SC got the chance to open their account as Muktijoddha goalkeeper Mahfuz Hasan Pritom made a blunder sending the ball to the wrong man Arif Hossen of Uttar Baridhara.
Midfielder Arif sent a cross to midfielder Noyon Mia, who headed it to their captain and Gambian forward Darboe Landing and finally, Landing netted ball by a close range right-footer shot (1-0).
But, the three-time Federation Cup champs Muktijoddha equalized the margin just a few seconds before the half-time.
Guinean forward Ismail Bangura restored the parity for the freedom fighters team by tapping ball from the goal mouth melee, off a pass from substitute forward Sarower Zaman Nipu in the stoppage time (45+1 minute) (1-1).
After the first half, Muktijoddha created strong pressure over the newcomers Uttar Baridhara and created some good chances to widen the margin.
Uttar Baridhara goalkeeper Azad Hossen smartly denied a close-range shot of Muktijoddha’s forward Bangura in the 58th minute.
Just after six minutes, Muktijoddha’s Japanese Captain and midfielder Norito Hash Higuchi missed another close chance to score in 64th minute.
In the 74th minute, Muktijoddha finally doubled the margin as Norito made no mistake to send the ball home by a powerful right-footed long-range shot inside from the box (2-1).
Muktijoddha could widen their margin further in the 89th minute while Bangura buried the ball with a bicycle kick, but the referee Jashim Akhter cancelled the goal due to off-side.
Darboe Landing of Uttar Baridhara received a yellow card during the match.
Muktijoddha Sangsad KC: Mahfuz Hasan Pritom, Shoeb Mia, Cyirill Chethechi Oriaku, Shah Alomgir Anik, Biyaga Paul Emili, Ismail Bangura, Mehedi Hasan, Mahabub Hossain Fahim, Md Sujon Biswas (Sarower Zaman Nipu), Rohit Sarkar and Norito Hash Higuchi.
Uttar Baridhara SC: Samin Yasir Juel, Papon Singh, Hafizur Rahman Topu, Arif Hossen, Noyon Mia, Azad Hossen, Rabby Bhuiyan (Jintu Mia), Saidul Hoque, Darboe Landing, Simon Obiomachukwu Ezeodika and Sangare Issouf.UNB
