Jamal drives Ctg Abahani

Skipper Jamal Bhuiyan scored one goal and set up two more as Chattogram Abahani fought back from 2-1 down to beat a spirited Young Elephants 4-2 in their second match of Group A of the Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup yesterday, taking the hosts close to the last four following two wins in two matches.

The 29-year-old midfielder curled a precise cross for Luka Rotkovic to head home the equalising goal in the 54th minute after Young Elephants had taken a 2-1 lead in the first half.

The Bangladesh skipper then smashed home from the top of the box on 71 minutes after Rahmat Mia’s long throw-in was half-cleared by the Young Elephants defence. Jamal, who was given a free role in attacking instead of his defensive midfield role in the second half, curled another corner-kick seven minutes later for Ivorian midfielder Jean Charles Didier to head home as Chattogram Abahani, who won their first match 4-1 against TC Sports, sealed the fate of the match.

With Mohun Bagan getting three points against defending champions TC Sports in the first match of the day, Chattogram Abahani are not into the semifinals yet, but the win takes them closer to that spot.

Earlier, Chattogram Abahani had taken a ninth-minute lead, with Chinedu Matthew toe-poking a cut-back from Luka Rotkovic. However, Young Elephants fought back with Bounphachan Bounkong hitting the crossbar before Aphixay Thanakhanty’s curling free-kick got the match on level terms on 14 minutes.

Jamal had a free-kick kept out by Young Elephants keeper Solasak Thilavong before the Southeast Asian team took the lead in the 33rd minute, with their prolific striker Somxay Keohanam taking advantage of a miscued clearance by Chattogram Abahani defender Ikbol Jon.

The Laotians had gone for the break looking the stronger of the two teams, but Jamal’s exploits in the second half saw the hosts power home.

Jamal said in the post-match press conference that he is enjoying his good form. “We didn’t play well in the first half and gave them two goals, but with some tactical changes, we succeeded. I’m in good shape. Last 35 days, I have been playing and practicing continuously, so I’m happy with my form” Jamal said.

Mohun Bagan stay alive; defending champions all but out

Mohun Bagan revived their hopes of a semifinal berth with a 2-0 victory over TC Sports, all but ending hopes of the defending champions in the first match of the day.

Trinidadian defender Daniel Cyrus gave the Kolkata giants a fourth-minute lead with a powerful shot from inside the box after being set up with a cut-back by Julen Olaizola. Shilton D’Silva rattled the post in the 26th minute.

Salvador Perez Martinez had a shot cannon off the crossbar 13 minutes into the second half before the Spaniard scored his side’s second goal six minutes later with an excellent placing shot, pirouetting on his heels and picking the corner of the net.

The Kolkata giants wasted quite a few chances and their coach Kibu Vicuna rued the wasted opportunities as qualification for the last-four may come down to goal-difference.

“We were the better team. Unfortunately we couldn’t score as many as we should have. We played mostly in the opposition area and should have won by a bigger margin,” the Spaniard said in his post-match reaction.

“We came out and showed everyone that the first match was a mistake. But I think we should have won the match by a bigger margin,” said player-of-the-match Cyrus.