MSC, Sk Jamal get winning starts

Title contenders Mohammedan SC and Sheikh Jamal DC got winning starts to their Federation Cup campaign on Monday.

10-time champions Mohammedan beat Rahmatganj MFS at the Birshreshtha Shaheed Flight Lt Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj while three-time tournament winners Sheikh Jamal blanked newcomers Azampur FC Uttar 3-0 at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

After a goalless first half, Malian forward Souleymane Diabate, availing a long ball from midfielder Muzaffar Muzaffarov, struck the decisive goal from inside the box through a clever placing shot over advancing goalkeeper Mamun Alif.

In Gopalganj, Sheikh Jamal DC took just a minute to take the lead when Uzbek forward Otabek Jonov converted from the spot after Azampur FC defender Salahuddin Rubel brought down national discard Mehedi Hasan Ridoy inside the box.

Azampur FC then responded well to keep their superior opponents at bay. However, a major setback in the form of the sending off of goalkeeper Mohammad Razib three mber one goalkeeper Mohammad Razib was sent off three dashed their hopes of a comeback.

Razib came out of the box to handle a goal-bound shot from Cornelius Stewart, forcing his side to play the rest of the game with 10 men. Sheikh Jamal did not fail to take advantage of the situation, scoring two more goals in a span of two minutes.

The replaced goalkeeper of Azampur, Jahid Hasan Rabbi, managed to stop a close-range header from Paraguayan Luis Mirada but failed to stop a rebounder from Koushik Barua in the 76 th minute. Minutes later, a Mannaf Rabbi strike sealed the game for Sheikh Jamal.