The Reds dethroned defending champions Mohammedan Sporting Club 3-2 in the tie-breaker after both sides finished the stormy affair 1-1 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in front of 45,000 football fans.

After two superb semifinals, the final itself failed to live up to expectations. And the same giants frustrated the crowd with their dull approach.

In fact, the busiest person on the pitch was referee Mansoor Azad. He had to caution nine players with yellow cards before sending off Muktijoddha midfielder Arman Mia in extra-time.

The grand final rolled into a shootout with no goals coming in 30 minutes of extra-time.

Mohammedan shot in front when none other than Rukunu-zzaman Kanchan used his lethal left foot to fire a 17th minute goal at the second attempt after the country's number one custodian Aminul failed to gather the ball cleanly.

It was the ace striker's sixth goal in the competition and he collected man-of-the-tournament award ahead of Moni who finished as the top-scorer with seven goals.

Muktijoddha had to wait until the 66th minute for leading scorer Saiful Islam Moni to equalise.

The goal was the result of Alfaz Ahmed's clever pass in the opponents' box.

Once Moni received the ball he rifled a right-footer into the near post.

Both goals conceded in regulation play were the fault of each team's defence.

Even though Muktijoddha were down to ten men as they began the second period of extra-time, Mohammedan couldn't capitalise on their numerical advantage.

Now the drama would have to be decided by penalties.

Mohammedan's first three penalty-takers (veteran defender Jewel Rana, striker Farhad and midfielder Anwar) all missed while captain Masud Rana and veteran striker Nakib converted.

On the other hand, Muktijo-ddha's stocky defender Sujon made no mistake with the night's last penalty to join teammates Hasan Al Mamun and Papel. However, experienced Rajani who stepped up to take the first kick in the shootout, blasted the ball over the bar like Jewel. Mohammedan's substitute goalie saved Belal's shot.

"We actually played against a 14 member team (including referee and two linesmen) but thankfully we won the match," said an upset Muktijoddha coach Shafiqul Islam Manik.

But he felt very proud because his club had added another title to the other major domestic trophies -- Premier Division League, Federation Cup under his supervision.

"My team didn't play as I had expected. I think we could have won outright if the referee had not made mistakes."

He was referring to linesman Ramkrishna Gosh who raised his flag to declare Papel Mahmud offside in the tenth minute of the extra-time. But it was clear that Papel had sprang the offside trap with the ball.

Alfaz was adjudged man-of-the-match.

Mohammedan coach Abul Hossain said that his team lost the final because of poor finishing. "It was shocking what my players did in the tiebreaker."

Red cards: Arman (Muktijoddha)

Yellow cards: Jewel, Riyad, Joy, Salisu, Pappu, Faisal and Farhad (Mohammedan), Ghansa and Nono (Muktijoddha).

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

MOHAMMEDAN: Nizam (Bijon), Jewel, Masud Rana, Riyad, Titoo, Joy, Salisu, Pappu (Nakib), Faisal (Anwar), Kanchan and Farhad.

Referee: Mansoor Azad.