It was a lacklustre performance by the two top clubs as players from both teams looked short of motivation for the big game. The players', especially the top ones', casual approach shocked a few thousand spectators who were present at the arena.

Alfaz brought relief to the all-red side with a smooth header in the 40th minute of the second-half as he finally broke the rock-solid Arambagh wall. But credit should go to Arman Miah who set the piece for the country's premier striker with a curling cross.

However, just before that substitute Matiur Rahman Munna was denied a goal by the post as the national medio's back-header, connecting on a throw-in by another substitute Belal, hit the second bar.

Muktijoddha wasted another easy chance to extend the victory margin in the dying moments, this time an Alfaz right-footer going wide of the post.

The win almost confirmed title aspirants Muktijoddha a place in the semifinals and they will take on defending champions Mohammedan Sporting Club in their last robin league match on August 30.

The first-half was locked goalless although Muktijoddha possessed the ball most of the time but they failed to pierce the Motijheel-based club defence.

Arambagh's Ghanaian defender Mustafa Kaba showed his mettle in his first appearance as he foiled a number of Mukti attempts.

Arambagh custodian Piru was also in very good touch and he kept the Muktijoddha forwards at bay until the Alfaz strike.

Alfaz also came to scoring in the 26th minute. He latched on to a Moni pass only to be denied by Piru.

Their Ghanaian recruit Charles Ghansa also created an opportunity at the stroke of half-time as he played a fierce shot almost from the mid-field to the post. He was also denied by the Arambagh custodian who brilliantly fisted it away.

Arambagh, who took a defensive strategy going into the game against their superior opponents, got only two chances, one in each half. Nigerian Winu headed an Emu cross which went wide in the 11th minute while country's number one custodian Aminul easily gripped a Saiful header 20 minutes into the second-half.

TEAMSMUKTIJODDHA SANGSAD KC: Aminul, Hasan Al Mamun, Rajani, Prodip Poddar (Lajuk) (Belal), Sujon, Papel, Ghansa, Nono (Matiur Munna), Arman, Moni and Alfaz.

ARAMBAGH KS: Piru, Kam-ruzzaman, Mustafa Kaba, Rezaul Karim Biplob, Aziz Al Arman, Kamal, Saiful Islam (Kum Chu), Biddyut, Iqbal Hasan Emu, Winu and Tariq Awal (Apu).

Yellow cards: Tariq Awal (Arambagh).

Referee: Ehsanul Haq.