Clinical Mohammedan Sporting Club through to Semifinals

Bordoloi Trophy

Our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI: Mohammedan Sporting Club booked their place in the semifinals of 2018 Bordoloi Trophy with one game in hand after beating Baarhoongkha FC 3-1 on Wednesday in their second Group B game.

Rakesh Karmakar (24'), Phillip Adjah (42') and Charles Atcha (87') were on target for Black Panthers while Urjay Brahma (74') pulled a goal back for Baarhoongkha FC. Mohammedan SC made a bright start to the game, enjoying most of the early ball possession on a humid afternoon at Nalbari’s Mukalmua Stadium, while Baarhoongkha FC looked lethargic and off the pace throughout the opening stanza.

At the initial stage, Mohammedan was not able to take advantage of playing good soccer. However, Black Panthers weren’t going to be kept at a distance forever and it ended up being Rakesh who opened the scoring after racing between the defenders to place the ball past keeper in the 24th minute. Mohammedan SC then took control of the match and looked dangerous every time they pushed forward.

Meanwhile, Baarhoongkha FC continued to commit defensive mistakes and was nearly punished in the 38th minute but David Asamoah failed to keep his effort on target from close range.

However, Mohammedan SC did manage to score their second when Adjah scored a brilliant right footer in the 42nd minute after making a lung-busting run on the right side.

Back from recess, Black Panthers continued to dominate but were unable to really stretch the Baarhoongkha FC defense and create scoring chances from open play. Adjah, however, twice threatened with shots from distance.

Having missed some half chances, Barhoongkha FC, which played attacking football in the second half, finally pulled a goal back in the 74th minute through Urjay Bramha, who slotted past Laltu Mondal from close.

Overall though it was Black Panthers who looked slightly more dangerous in attack and a third goal always seemed a possibility.

With Baarhoongkha FC pushing hard for an equalizer, Mohammedan SC simply had to run down the clock as they shut the local outfit out and saw out their second win of the campaign, but not before substitute Charles tapped home for the third from Ujjal Howladar’s pass in the 87th minute, to all but seal the three points and a place in the semifinals. Mohammedan SC will take on TRAU FC next in their last Group B fixture on Friday at the same venue.

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