The Reds, who finished fourth in the Super-Six due to an inferior goal difference with Mohammedan after both earned eight points, will take on top-of-the-table Abahani in tomorrow's first semifinal. Defending champions Brothers are pitted against Mohammedan in the second semi on Thursday.

But it seemed George Kottan's charges, who needed just a draw for a passage into the last four, went into the match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium with a misconception. They were hungry for goals but at the same time desperately wanted to finish fourth to avoid a clash with Brothers, the most successful team of the season with two trophies out of three tournaments.

Apparently ignorant of that fact that unlike bonus points, goal advantage from the first phase would not be included to the teams' Super Six collection, Muktijoddha players let loose a comedy of errors after scoring their fourth goal two minutes away from the final whistle. The first reaction from the players and coach alike was frustration after the long-range shot from their Moroccan midfielder Rachid beat the Army custodian.

Muktijoddha backline then tried in vain to allow the opponent attackers to get past them unchallenged so that Army could score at least one goal.

Had the previous-phase goals were counted, the last year's runners-up would have finished third and face Brothers instead in the semis.

Back to the match and Muktijoddha, who lost to Brothers 1-0 and thrashed Samabesh Club 5-2 in their previous encounters, dominated the first half but hardly showed the effort to score.

Rajani's early corner troubled Army goalkeeper Monriul in the flight but he recovered to save a powerful shot by Titu on the rebound while Kanchan miskicked a chance from close-range as the first half ended scoreless.

Army, who lost 1-0 to Abahani before being humiliated by Mohammedan 6-0, came to the last Super-Six game in a must win situation to book a berth in the last four.

But instead of trying to fire on all cylinders, Army had their backs to the wall as Muktis took absolute control in the second half, scoring three goals inside four minutes. After Kanchan, Enamul and Hassan Al Mamun all missed the mark from close range in the first ten minutes of the second half, the floodgate opened in the 58th minute when Enamul neatly placed a low drive past Monirul after hard work by Kanchan at the left.

Enamul then set up two more goals, in the 59 and 61 minutes, for Nigerian midfielder Adafa who was unmarked inside the box during his first goal with a neat placing shot into the far corner. Adafa's second strike and overall fifth in the Super Six was an example of sheer power when he dodged past a defender before rocketing in another right-footer from the top of the box.

The three-goal happy Muktijoddha kept the ball inside their own half with an intention not to widen the margin but Rachid's sudden lob from 30 yards surprised goalkeeper Monirul, who was standing far outside his line.

Yellow cards: Monwar (Army)

TEAMS
MUKTIJODDHA: Aminul, Hassan Al Mamun (Rony), Ghansah, Deen Mohammed, Rajani, Titu, Adafa, Rachid, Amin Rana (Biddyut), Enamul (Saiful) and Kanchan.

ARMY: Monirul, Mamun (Bashir and Anwar), Masum, Mizan, Monwar, Rakib, Silon, Didar, Sonny, Shahin and Tutul.

Referee: Abdul Hannan.