Farashganj clinch first ever domestic soccer trophy

Farashganj SC inscribed a history in the country's domestic football competition when they clinched the title of the Independence Cup Football Tournament beating Sheikh Russell KC by 5-4 goals in a sudden death final at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in the city Sunday, reports UNB. With the day's victory, the old Dhaka 'outfit' Farashganj SC not only broke their jinx on their 50 years club's history, but also clinched the trophy for the first time from the domestic football competition. The match rolled into a tie-breaker after the regulation time and extra 30 minutes ended 1-1 draw. The match was again locked in 3-3 goal after the first five shots of tie-breaker. In the tie breaker, Sohel Rana, Sujan Chowdhury and Moklesur Rahman scored one goal each for Farashganj SC while Prodip Borua, Mobarak Hosain and Eduard Sakhnevich converted one goal apiece for Sheikh Russell KC. In the sudden death session, Jewel Rana and Moklesh scored for Farashganj while Yusuf scored for Sheikh Russell KC. State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Capt AB Tazul Islam (retd), MP, witnessed the day's final as chief guest and distributed prizes among the winners. Bangladesh Football Federation president Kazi Salahuddin and senior vice president Abdus Salam Murshedi, among others, were present Champion Farashganj SC received prize money of Tk 0.5 million (5 lakh) while runners-up Sheikh Russell KC got Tk 0.3 million. Sohel Rana of Farashganj SC was adjudged the best player of the tournament, James Moga of Muktijoddha SKC named as highest scorer while Brothers Union Club received fair play trophy of the meet. Earlier, Sheikh Russell KC came close to scoring early in the 3rd minute. Monayem Khan Raju took a right footer from inside the danger zone after dodging past a defender off a close pass from Effiong Duke, but Farashganj custodian Tariq gripped the ball brilliantly. Farashganj SC got the first scoring chance in the 38th minute, but a powerful shot taken by Malay Barman from inside the danger zone was saved by Sheikh Russell custodian Mamun at the cost of corner. But, Farashganj SC had to wait a little time for the pleasant moment when their Nigerian striker Kalu Johnson opened the account in the 41st minute. Taking a pass from Sohel Rana, Johnson took a powerful right footer from inside the D-box to send the ball into home, stunning the Sheikh Russell fans in the big bowl (1-0). After the lemon break, Moroccan recruit Abass Inusah restored the parity for Sheikh Russell KC in the 79th minute with an angular shot from 15 yards giving no chance to Farashganj custodian Tariq under the bar (1-1). Sheikh Russell deprived from a certain goal in the 98th minute. Cameroon recruit Effiong Duke must considers him as unlucky as his header from handshake distance off a left wing minus from Raju returned to play after hitting the right side bar. Sheikh Russell KC missed another scoring chance in the 105th minute when Monayem Khan Raju's left footer angular shot from inside the danger zone harmlessly sailed over the cross bar. Farashganj SC - Sunny, Vashani, Amadi, Khokon, Malay, Sohel, Jewel, Saikat (Mamun), Moklesur, Kalu (Idris) and Sujan. Sheikh Russell KC - Mamun, Murad, Aminul, Prodip, Yusuf, Mezbabul (Sahed), Moro, Eduard, Raju, Abass and Duke. Referee - Azad Rahman