Mohammedan players celebrate their Modhumoti Bank Independence Cup triumph after beating Feni SC in a tiebreaker at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday. PHOTOS: STAR

Mohammedan SC put an end to Feni Soccer Club's impressive run in the Modhumoti Bank Independence Cup football tournament when the popular Black and Whites emerged champions with a 5-4 win in penalty shootout over Feni in the final at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
The match rolled into the tiebreaker after regulation and extra time ended with both sides goalless. Experienced Mohammedan goalkeeper Mamun Khan thwarted Feni's first shot from Gambian hitman Kabba Jobe and that one save was enough for Mohammedan to see off a tough Feni to take home their first title of the season.
Feni could have entered the history books as the first team from outside the capital to win the Independence Cup but they fell at the final hurdle against Mohammedan, who have a track record of winning tournaments instead of leagues since the introduction of the professional football league in 2006.
However, Feni showed their nerve in front of some 7,000 spectators by fighting against superior opponents till the last moment. Ironically it was one of the three Gambians who had turned their fortunes around this season, who ended up costing Feni their brightest moment.

Despite losing the final, unfancied Feni won the hearts of football fans after their amazing run in the tournament. PHOTOS: STAR

The final was tipped to be a fight between Feni's forwards and Mohammedan's defenders but both sides played attacking football in a fast-paced match. A number of scoring chances were created but the forwards of both sides squandered those chances.
Feni, who came into the final dispatching holders Sheikh Russel and Brothers Union, gave Mohammedan a scare at the start when Gambian hitman Landing Darboe struck a dipping free kick that went inches over the crosspiece in the fifth minute.
Mohammedan also responded soon to come close to taking the lead in the next minute but they were denied by goalkeeper Nehal, who thwarted a powerful shot from striker Touhidul Alam Sabuz inside the box.
The attack and counter attack went on and Feni were ahead of Mohammedan in the first 20 minutes before the Black and Whites established their authority by launching some good attacks before the breather.
Mohammedan should have taken the lead at the 21-minute mark but winger Zahid Hossain floated a Zahid Hasan Emily cutback over the crosspiece when he had enough time to go close and beat goalkeeper Nehal.
Both sides yielded such chances in either half but failed to capitalise on those opportunities because of the forwards' inability to finish the job or the goalkeepers' efficiency.
However, Mohammedan's easiest chance of the night was squandered by Zongo Ousseni from Burkina Faso in the 115th minute when an Emily shot fell to him inside the box with the goalkeeper to beat but the midfielder's shot floated over the crosspiece.
Feni also saw their hope of winning the title stifled two minutes from time in the second half of extra time when Nigerian Chuka Charles fired over the crosspiece from close.
Finally, Mohammedan kept their good track record against Feni intact with a shootout win and maintained their unbeaten run in Dhaka against Feni.