ZCZC
BSP-17
FOOTBALL-FED-CUP-SAIF
Saif SC reach Federation Cup final for first time
DHAKA, Jan 6, 2021 (BSS) – Saif Sporting Club, for the first time,
reached to the final of 32nd curtain raiser Federation Cup Football
eliminating ten men Chattogram Abahani Limited by 3-0 goals in the
first semifinal held today at Bangabandhu National Stadium here.
Saif Sporting Club will now play the final against second semifinal
winners either Bashundhara Kings or Dhaka Abahani Limited scheduled to
be held on January 10 at the same venue.
Saif SC, who were eliminated from the quarterfinals in the previous
two editions after failing to clear the group stages in their debut
season, this time will have the opportunity to make their own new
history in the final.
It was an again impressive performance by Saif SC, a side with a
wonderful blend of youths and experienced campaigners, who took 1-0
lead after the breather. The remaining two goals came for Saif in the
second half.
The port city team Chattogram Abahani were really unlucky on the day
because they created many scoring chances all through the proceeding,
but they failed to convert those any of those into a goal lack of
proper finishing.
In the day’s match, Nigerian defender Emmanuel Ariwachukwu, forward
Kenneth Ikechukwu and Yeasin Arafat scored one goal each to ensure the
victory for Saif in their must win knock out stage semifinal match.
Emmanuel Ariwachukwu opened an account for Saif early in the 9th
minute with a left footer shot from inside the danger zone giving no
chance to Chattogram Abahani’s custodian Mohammad Nayeem under the
bar.
After the resumption, Saif came to the field with more organised way
and added two more goals in the second half. Kenneth Ikechukwu doubled
the lead for Saif in the 72nd minute. Taking a shot pass from Arifur,
Kenneth made no mistake to send the ball to the net with a perfect
placing shot.
Chattogram Abahani Limited was reduced to ten men by referee Jalal
Uddin in the 76th minute. Chattogram Abahani’s skipper Kpehi Didier
Brossou got the marching order for his unsporting behavior following
the double yellows.
MORE/SG/MRU/2101hrs
ZCZC
BSP-18
FOOTBALL-FED-CUP-SAIF-TWO LAST
Yeasin sealed the victory scoring the third goal for Saif with a
right footer angular shot from the close range in the 90th minute of
the match.
Chattogram Abahani got some corner kicks in the second half but they
could not convert any of those into a goal.
Kenneth Ikechukwu of Saif was named the player of the match for his
impressive performance in the match.
Earlier, Saif Sporting Club, reached the semifinal of the tournament
beating Mohammedan Sporting Club Limited by 7-6 goals in sudden death
tiebreaker in the second quarterfinal match.
In the group stage matches, they also maintained their supremacy by
inning all the matches. Saif Sporting Club made a winning start as
they blanked Uttar Baridhara Club by 3-0 goals in their group opening
match, dumped Brothers Union Club by 6-1 goals and emerged group B
champions with a solitary goal victory over Arambagh Krira Sangha in
their third and last group match.
On the other hand, Chattogram Abahani smartly reached the semifinal
of the season’s curtain raiser soccer meet eliminating Sheikh Russel
Krira Chakra by 2-0 in the 3rd quarterfinal.
In the group phase matches, the port city team made a winning start
in the meet with a solitary goal victory over old Dhaka outfit
Rahmatganj Muslim and Friends Society but they lost the second group
match to Bashundhara Kings also by the same identical margin of 1-0
goal to finished group C runners-up.
Thursday’s match: Dhaka Abahani Limited vs Bashundhara Kings (2nd
semifinal) at 4 pm.
BSS/SG/MRU/2101hrs