Mohammedan's Nigerian striker Sunday Chizoba (C) is the toast of his teammates after his treble against Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday eased the Black and Whites into the final of the crore-taka tournament Grameenphone Super Cup.Nigerian hitman Sunday Chizoba slammed a sensational hat-trick to steer holders Mohammedan SC into the final of the Grameenphone Super Cup with a 4-2 win over league champions Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club in the semifinal at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
Apart from Sunday's treble, guest striker Nche Francis scored the other for Mohammedan, who dominated the first half 2-0.Cameroonian striker Stephan Loga Bouga and defender Mohammad Sujan reduced the margin in the second half for Sheikh Jamal but they could not avert a defeat against a depleted side and ended the season on a low note following their punishment in the Bangladesh League for playing 'compromised game' on the way to become champions.
The Black and Whites, who at least confirmed a silverware this season through the final berth following their miserable show in the Federation Cup, Bangladesh League and Independence Cup, will now take on the winners of Abahani and Muktijoddha Sangsad on August 6 at the same venue.
On paper, Mohammedan were much the weaker side than Sheikh Jamal, but the Black and Whites were definitely on top on the pitch in term of performance and registered a deserved triumph in front of some 3000 spectators.
Sheikh Jamal, studded with national booters and four foreign recruits, clutched the control of the game from the beginning and played well in the first 10 minutes, and could even have taken a lead in the very third minute had a powerful shot from midfielder Mamunul Islam not been denied by the cross-piece.
Mohammedan were also denied by the w woodwork in the 11th minute when Sunday being set through by on-loan player Touhidul Alam saw his angular shot rattle the cross-piece much to the relief of Sheikh Jamal goalkeeper Aminul Haque.
Mohammedan, however, did not waste time to take the lead like their previous matches against Sheikh Russel KC and Muktijoddha Sangsad as Sunday converted a spot-kick in the 11th minute.Sheikh Jamal goalkeeper Aminul made the blander as he failed to grip a Shafiqul Islam Bipul cross and the ball fell to Touhidul who attempted to strike but defender Nasiruddin tackled him from the back to give away the penalty that Sunday converted.
Mohammedan doubled the margin in the 34th minute when Sunday availed a fumble off defender Nasir before advancing into the box and sending the ball over the advancing goalkeeper Aminul.After the resumption, Sheikh Jamal sent on on-loan striker Sohel Rana instead of Zahid Hasan Emily but the striker had little impact on the game as Mohammedan made it 3-0 from a counterattack in the 66th minute.
Availing a long-ball from winger Shariful Islam, Franchis played a one-two with Touhid on the left flank before the tall striker nicely curved the ball from the middle of the right-hand box past Aminul.Sheikh Jamal looked dead and buried after conceding three goals but they suddenly brought back some excitement striking two goals within two minutes when Loga Bouga danced past defender Hasan Al Mamun to fire home in the 69th minute and one minute later Sujan converted a spot-kick to reduce the margin to 3-2.
Afterwards, Sheikh Jamal controlled the match and pressed hard for the equalizer but they conceded the fourth as Sunday, after missing an open net opportunity, completed his treble as well as ensured Mohammedan's victory in the final minute. This time too, Aminul was blamed for conceding the fourth as he poorly cleared a corner kick that fell to Sunday, who did not mistake to fire home from close.
“Our boys today availed the chances that came their way and we won the game deservedly,” said MSC coach Shafiqul Islam Manik.
“The boys played bad throughout the game and thus we lost. Besides, the foreign recruits were not up to mark today,” said Sheikh Jamal coach Packeer Ali, who however did not want to make comments on the players' commitment.
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