Grameenphone Super Cup MSC stun Sk Jamal Move into final with 4-2 win-2011

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.

3 for Guerrero, 3 for Peru-Copa America Argentina 2011

Peruvian striker Paolo Guerrero celebrates after completing his hattrick against Venezuela in their third place qualifier of the Copa America at the Ciudad de La Plata stadium in La Plata on Saturday.

Striker Paolo Guerrero scored a hat-trick as Peru crushed 10-man Venezuela 4-1 to take third place at the Copa America on Saturday.

William Chiroque put Peru ahead from Guerrero's pass three minutes before halftime and the striker nicknamed "Predator" rammed home the second in the 64th and two more in added time."Third place is very good, I'm very proud of this team," Guerrero told a TV reporter before the medals ceremony.

"I'm a forward and I have to score goals, I work for the team. For me it's more important that the team wins," Guerrero said after becoming top scorer at the tournament with five goals, two more than Luis Suarez of Uruguay and Argentina's Sergio Aguero.

Peru, who began the tournament as outsiders but improved with each match while favourites Argentina, Brazil and Chile fell by the wayside, contributed to one of the best matches.

"Peru played a much better match than us. Peru were a great team that knew how to take advantage of our mistakes," said Venezuela's coach Cesar Farias.Venezuela, who had midfielder Tomas Rincon sent off on the hour for a dangerous tackle on Carlos Lobaton, pulled a goal back when midfielder Juan Arango poked home in the 79th minute at the end of a counter-attack.

Four minutes later Venezuela, also outsiders at the start of the tournament, could have equalised when Peru goalkeeper Raul Fernandez was unable to hold Arango's fierce free kick but left back Gabriel Cichero put the rebound just outside the post.

With Venezuela committed to trying to equalise, Guerrero hit them with two more goals in late breakaways, showing great control and exquisite finishing in both to cement his place as one of the best strikers of the competition.Nippy forward Chiroque could have scored in the 27th minute but goalkeeper Renny Vega blocked his shot from a tight angle when a pass to the unmarked Paulo Cruzado would have been the better option.

However, Guerrero helped break the deadlock before the interval when he exchanged passes with midfielder Cruzado before crossing from the right to the far post where Chiroque steered the ball home past the committed Vega.Peru's second and Guerrero's first goal came soon after Venezuela were left with 10 men when he took Chiroque's pass and calmly measured his shot into the roof of the net.