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Clinical Mohammedan Sporting through to Bordoloi Trophy semis

Mohammedan Sporting's Phillip Adjah Tetteh in action at the 2018 Bordoloi Trophy. (Photo courtesy: Mohammedan Sporting Club)
Mohammedan Sporting's Phillip Adjah Tetteh in action at the 2018 Bordoloi Trophy. Photo courtesy: Mohammedan Sporting Club

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.

As expected Mohammedan SC had the best opportunities and ran the show for much of the game with the shots coming from all directions keeping the Baarhoongkha FC back-line busy as well as forcing some big saves from their keeper.

However, Black Panthers weren’t going to be kept at a distance forever and it ended up being Rakeah 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. Prosenjit Chakraborty tried to curl the ball into the top corner, but Baarhoongkha FC keeper produced a fine save to deny the winger.

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

However, Mohammedan Sporting 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.

Baarhoongkha FC, on the other hand, looked well out of their depth throughout the first-half and went into the break trailing 2-0, with a mountain to climb in the second stanza.

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.

Nonetheless, as the game progressed Baarhoongkha FC began to control the proceedings with greater possession and looked more threatening going forward, thanks to crisp passing, good off-the-ball movement and dazzling individual skills.

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

Baarhoongkha FC had the chance to level matters four minutes later, but after Sandip Brahma raced clear of the defense he was unable to hit the net, sending a left-footed shot just wide of the far upright.

Overall though it was Black Panthers who looked slightly more dangerous in attack and a third goal always seemed a possibility, while Baarhoongkha FC despite throwing on several attackers, struggled to breach their opponents’ defense.

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.

Adjah was pleased to get on the board, but his main focus was getting the win and progressing in the competition.

“Of course it’s always nice to score but the main thing is we are through to the next stage,” he says.

“We came up against a very tough side but it’s what we do. We dig in, we fight and we came out with the right result.” Adjah added.

Mohammedan Sporting will take on TRAU FC next in their last Group B fixture on Friday at the same venue.

(Mohammedan Sporting Club)