There were two matches in the Independence Cup Football on Saturday. Dhaka Mohammedan drew 1-1 against Forties FC at Birshrestha Shaheed Lt. Motiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj. In another match of the day, Dhaka Abahani defeated Sheikh Russell Krira Chakra by 2-0.
As the match between Mohammedan and Forties FC was a draw, all three teams in Group C have equal two points. Not only equal two points, Mohammedan, Forties and Army's goal difference is also equal nil and head to head draw is also equal. The top two teams in the group are therefore determined to score more goals. Mohammedan tops the group with maximum three goals in two matches, Army second best with two goals. And Forties left the tournament with only one goal.
Forties FC, newcomers to domestic football, played good football today. They were ahead until the 73rd minute of the match. If Forties won 1-0, they would have been champions of the group and Mohammedan would have been eliminated. Forties were eliminated as Mohammedan leveled the match in the 73rd minute to complicate the group's calculations.
Dhaka Abahani's quarter-final from Group B was already confirmed. Today's match was for best of group. Dhaka Abahani beat Sheikh Russell 2-0 to win the group. With this victory of Abahani, Rahmatganj of Old Dhaka reached the quarter finals.
Both Russell and Rahmatganj have equal four points in Group B. Two teams head to head draw. Rahmatganj's goal difference +1 and Russell's -1. Rahmatganj will play the quarter finals of the Independence Cup instead of Russell as they are leading by goal difference. Sheikh Russell brought foreign coach instead of one of the country's top coach Zulfikar Mahmood Mintu in order to achieve success. Russell's journey as a foreign coach was not a pleasant one. Exit from the group in the first tournament.
The group has one match remaining in the Independence Cup. That match will be held on December 1. The Independence Cup will be suspended for more than three weeks for Bashundhara Kings' AFC Cup and the national football team's World Cup qualifiers.
