Reactions of coaches and former footballers after Mohammedan becoming champs

Sports Reporter :
After 14 years, Dhaka Mohammedan Sporting Club Limited emerged the champions of the Federation Cup Football on Tuesday last. Dhaka Mohammedan Sporting Club defeated their arch rivals Dhaka Abahani Limited in the final of the Federation Cup Football by 4-2 goals in a nail-biting tie-breaker at Shaheed Dhirendranath Dutta Stadium in Cumilla. The ninety-minute match ended in a 3-3 goals draw. Thus, the match turned into extra time. The 30-minute extra time game ended in a 1-1 draw. So, the fate of the match was decided in the tie-breaker. Mohammedan won in the penalty shoot-out as their substitute goalkeeper Bipu saved two penalty shots of Abahani booters. Mohammedan’s Malian recruit Souleyman Diabate scored four goals with a hat-trick. It is a record in the history of Federation Cup. Besides, Diabate successfully struck the first shot in the penalty shoot-out and scored the first goal in the tiebreaker. So, Diabate made a history in the 43 years of Federation Cup Football.

It is noteworthy that Dhaka Mohammedan Sporting Club Limited and Abahani Limited battle for the trophy of any prestigious football tournament outside Dhaka. The popular Dhanmodi based outfit clinched the title of the Federation Cup Football for 12 times. On the other hand, the popular Motijheel based outfit won the title of the Federation Cup Football for 11 times.

Former footballer and Interim Head Coach of Mohammedan Alfaz Ahmed is highly delighted after his team became the champions of this years Federation Cup Football. Alfaz Ahmed said, ” Earlier, there was an another eye-catching football final of Federation Cup Football was held. But I think today’s match is the most entertaining final of Federation Cup Football in the history of the Fed Cup Football. I think Mohammedan did not win the football match. Actually it is a victory of Bangladesh’s Football. It is a red letter day for me. Earlier, Mohammedan became the champions in the Federation Cup Football and I was a player of that team. But now Mohammedan became champions under supervision of my coaching. It is really a joy for me.”

He said, ” I told my booters to present a cool-headed game. I change the combination and formation. The booters played according to my plan and got success.”
Dhaka Abahani Limited passed their recent season without any trophy. It is noteworthy that Bashundhara Kings already annexed the title of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football, the most prestigious domestic football competition of the country. Kings won the BPL Football title for four consecutive times which is a record. Earlier, Dhaka Abahani Limited clinched the title of the BPL Football for three successive times.

Head Coach of Dhaka Abahani Limited, Mario Lemos said, ” It is frustrating for me. We led the match 2-0 in the first half. My boys failed to show better brand of football in the early 15 minutes of the second half. Booters of Mohammedan took advantage of the lacking of my players. I think we had to get the trophy.”
Former footballer Ruman Bin Wali Sabbir said, ” After a long years, I watched a final, which was outstanding and competitive. I have never seen such kind of final between Mohammedan and Abahani. Mohammedan needed a trophy to sustain in Dhaka football.”

Former footballer Imtiaz Sultan Johny said, ” When I was watching the final match between Mohammedan and Abahani, I expect I shall observe something special for Mohammedan and I got it.”