Fresh after their upset win against Nebitchi FC in the AFC Cup earlier this month, Muktijoddha emerged as deserving victors in a lacklustre final at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

Brothers, who were leading 1-0 in the March 30 final before it was abandoned after 12 minutes following a rainstorm, appeared ordinary in the rematch without their Russian striker Edward, who had scored the goal for the Orangemen.

With Edward already out due to heat related allergy on a stifling summer afternoon and the mercury rising to 35 degrees Celsius, the final never reached the expectations of the 10,000-strong crowd at the Big Bowl.

And for those, who spent sleepless nights watching live European football, the manoeuvring in the middle looked like action replays of those fast moving games.

However, the activities outside the playing area were frantic to say the least. A white microbus patrolled the touchline until the entourage of Prime Minister Khaleda Zia entered the stadium through the northern gate just before half time.

Interestingly, the Prime Minister brought all the luck for Mukti-joddha, who struck their first goal within seconds of her arrival at the grand venue.

Although this is something unusual on a playing field, the spectators thoroughly enjoyed it. The only occasion they felt embarrassed when a former sports minister who was a guest of the final, nonchalantly entered the playing area while making his way onto the dais with the match still on.

Back to the match, Brothers almost took early blood when Khokon forced a fine save by rival keeper Aminul after 12 minutes but the Reds settled with Arman taking charge in the middle.

The national midfielder threatened to score four minutes later when he received a pass from Kanchan just inside the box but inspired defending by Orange skipper Sujan denied Arman's powerful shot.

Muktijoddha pressed hard and earned a number of corners but only Paul came close to scoring with an 18-yard shot only to be denied by goalkeeper Tareq.

Brothers young midfielder Abul, who spoiled many of their own attacks by taking numerous long-range shots on the rival goal without any avail, created a good chance ten minutes before the breather when he exchanged passes with Adil. But Aminul left his post and thwarted the final shot from close.

The goal came as soon as the Prime Minister arrived at the ground with Paul scoring from a goalmouth scramble.

Brothers' goalkeeper Tareq and centre-back Jewel Rana failed to negotiate a typical long throw by Belal from the left and Paul slammed the ball into the roof of the net after Pappu's first-time shot bounced off the defensive wall.

Woodwork denied Muktijoddha five minutes into the second half when Masud Rana's backheader towards their own keeper was anticipated by Kanchan but the Muktijoddha striker, who lost control after going round the custodian, placed the ball onto the sidebar.

Paul then helped substitute Saiful seal the victory on the hour with a fine defence-splitting through from the left. Saiful, who replaced Pappu at the break, enjoyed a free run down the right of the box and the overlapping fullback neatly placed the ball past Tareq.

The defeat ended Brothers' hopes of a third title in a row after their triumph in the Premier and National Leagues.

Muktijoddha took home a replica of the Tk eight-lakh gold cup and Tk 2 lakh prize-money while the runners-up were richer by Tk one lakh.

Yellow cards: Hassan Al Mamun, Saiful (Muktijoddha).