A brilliant goal by Muktijoddha midfielder Bidyut settled the issue at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. The hard-working midfielder, who joined from Abahani this season, let loose a first time right-footer from 35 yards that screamed into the near post leaving Sheikh Russell custodian Apel stranded in the 27th minute.

The goal however didn't diminish the spirit of the Premier League new boys, who had posted a few good results on route to their maiden semifinal appearance. They crushed Dhanmondi 6-0 in the group stage.

But a combination of poor finishing and a series of brilliant saves by the country's best custodian Aminul, denied Sheikh Russel any hopes of an equaliser.

And for once their Brazilian striker Fabio, a revelation in earlier games in the tournament, could not impose himself on the crucial contest. The nimble and shaven-headed forwarded was never allowed to settle down by a tight Muktijoddha defence.

The game's only goal allowed the Reds to meet Mohammedan in Thursday's final at the same final venue. It will be the second successive year that both sides will face each other.

The second semifinal started predictably with Muktijoddha making all the running. Playing with a 5-3-2 formation, the Dhaka giants opted to give Ghanaian defender Ghansha an attacking midfield role and for the first ten minutes they dominated possession.

But in football it's no point keeping the ball if you cannot convert it into goals. And that's what happened with both strikers Kanchan and Moni misfiring after good build-up in the middle.

Match-winner Bidyut could have opened Muktijoddha's account but his powerful shot was saved by Sheikh Russel keeper in the 22nd minute.

However, he didn't have to wait long before opportunity knocked again. After receiving a pass by Ghansha, the Muktijoddha midfielder had a shot and it proved decisive in the end.

Armed with the precious goal, the National League champions looked happy to sit on that slender lead apart from some occasional creativity in an otherwise insipid second half.

Kanchan, who missed the last game because of injury, got his share of chances in the 58th minute when Papel provided him with a defense-splitting pass from the left. But the nimble attacker, who scored a dream goal in the National League for Mohammedan against Abahani, could only manage to slip over the ball in front of an empty net.

Yellow card: Hasan Al-Mamun (Muktijoddha).

TEAMS

MUKTIJODDHA SANGSAD KC: Aminul, Hasan Al-Mamun (Papel), Prodeep, Harry, Riad, Gerald (Lajuk), Bidyut (Tipu), Matiur Munna, Ghansha, Kanchan and Moni.

SHEIKH RUSSELL KC: Apel, Biplab, Mintu, Narayan, Kamal, Tofazzal, Asif (Figo), Fatah, Fabio (Apu) and Bulbul.

Referee: R Alam.