Defending champions and record ten-time winners Mohammedan Sporting Club bowed out of the Grameenphone Federation Cup even before they took to the field for their last group B match against Feni Soccer Club as Muktijoddha Sangsad eased past semifinalists Brothers Union 3-0 at the Birshreshtha Mostafa Kamal Stadium yesterday.
Their fate already confirmed, Mohammedan played out a 1-1 draw against Feni Soccer Club in the day's second match under floodlights.
The Black and Whites finished third in group B with two points from three games, above Feni who finished with a point earned from this game. Mohammedan earlier drew goalless against Muktijoddha and lost to Brothers 2-0.
This was the first time in the 30-year history of the Federation Cup that the popular Motijheel outfit failed to reach the semifinals. Mohammedan coach Shafiqul Islam Manik tried to put a brave face on the back of these embarrassing performances. He cited the unavailability of two of his foreign recruits for this debacle.
"We had been training with these foreign players for fifteen days and we came to learn only on the day of the match that they could not play. We were depending a lot on the foreign recruits since we have a youthful side," said Manik.
Mohammedan went down in the 36th minute when goalkeeper Pearuzzaman misjudged a Masudul Alam Bulbul cross and gathered the ball from the back of the net.
The Black and Whites were awarded a penalty in the 48th minute when Anwar Hossain was brought down inside the box. Emeka Christian Ibe stepped up and hit an awfully weak kick into the palms of the Feni keeper.
Mohammedan however salvaged some pride when youngster Sohel Rana hit a superb shot across the edge of the box to beat the opposition keeper and gave the agitated Mohammedan faithful something to cheer about.
"We realised after the loss against Brothers that we had no chance in this Cup. I think those teams who made it to the last four are better than us.
"But I am not frustrated, because our aim was not the Federation Cup, rather it was the Bangladesh League. Moreover we did not get our full set of players," observed Manik.
Hasan Al Mamun, veteran defender of Mohammedan echoed his coach's sentiment.
“We are a foreigner-depended side this time. Not having them was a setback. So this result was expected,” said Mamun.