Nitol-Tata National Football League
Mohammedan maul Army
Sports Reporter
After a forgettable first round, a full strength Mohammedan Sporting Club showed their true colours in the Nitol-Tata Fifth National Football League when they routed Bangla-desh Army 6-0 at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.Mohammedan, who missed their key players during the entire first round and in the opening Super Six game against holders Brothers Union due to the SAFF Champion-ship and the Asian Cup pre-qualifiers against Pakistan, transformed into an altogether different side with the return of five national stalwarts to club duties. Ace striker Alfaz Ahmed led the Black and White goal-fest with a brace. Nigerian Divine Chibuk also struck twice and his compatriot Emeka and defender Nazrul shared the other two for the biggest win in this year's National League so far after their bitter-rivals Abahani's 6-1 thrashing of Munshiganj Samabesh Club on Friday. The victory also took the popular Motijheel outfit to the third position along with Muktijoddha behind Abahani and Brothers with five points. But to win a place in the last four Mohammedan need at least a draw against Samabesh Club in their last Super Six match on Monday. On the other hand, despite the heavy defeat Army, having three points from four games, still got a slim chance to join the last four provided they beat Muktijoddha on Tuesday. Abahani, who are leading the six-team table, with 10 points have already confirmed a semifinal berth along with Brothers (8 points). They will lock horns today at the same venue. Back in day's match, Divine opened the floodgate in the 15th minute, tapping home an Alfaz flag-kick from the left. Alfaz then doubled the margin in the 30th minute with a placing shot while Emeka blasted home the third with a fierce right-footer after five minutes. Alfaz scored his second goal from a penalty awarded in the 41st minute as Mohammedan went into the lemon break with a massive 4-0 lead. There was no respite for the Army men in red after the break with defender Nazrul heading home an Emeka corner in the 72nd minute. Divine then sealed the biggest defeat after seven minutes with a right-footed guided missile that crashed into the net past a bemused Army custodian Monirul. Yellow cards: Odaf, Divine and Emeka (Mohammedan), Atiqul and Didarul (Army). TEAMS
MOHAMMEDAN: Biplob, Matiur Munna, Nazrul, Hasan (Papel), Odaf, Rezaul, Divine, Arman Aziz, Emeka (Sentu), Alfaz and Francis (Robin). ARMY: Monirul, Tutul, Sonny, Mizanur, Monwar, Kamal, Atiqul, Anwar (Sillon), Shahin (Mamun), Rakib and Didarul. Referee: Tayeb Hasan.
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