MSC KO Kings to reach Fed Cup final

Mohammedan booked their first Federation Cup final in 14 years as the Black and Whites bested favourites Bashundhara Kings in a semifinal at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj yesterday.

Nigerian forward Emanuel Sunday gave Mohammedan a third-minute lead before Brazilian striker Dorielton Gomes equalised for Kings in the 43rd minute. However, Malian forward-cum-captain Souleymane Diabate restored Mohammedan's lead in the 55th minute to inflict Kings' first defeat of the season and end their 24-match unbeaten run in all competitions.

The defeat to Mohammedan also means that Kings failed to make it to the Federation Cup final for the first time since their top-flight debut in the 2018-19 season.

It also marked the first time in 10 years that Mohammedan had reached the final of any tournament since a Super Cup triumph in 2013. The Black and Whites last played in a Federation Cup final in 2009, when they defeated archrivals Abahani on penalties to emerge as champions.

"Our strategy was to not concede in the first half and then play attacking football. But the early goal gave us an advantage," said Mohammedan coach Alfaz Ahmed.

"If you want to win, you need to hard work as well as a bit of luck. I believe both were part of today's success. The players toiled really hard in the month of Ramadan, some even trained while fasting. All credit goes to the players," added Alfaz, who was appointed the team's head coach following Shafiqul Islam Manik's departure after the mid-term transfer window.

The legendary striker was welcoming of either of the other two semifinalists, Sheikh Russel and Abahani, but conceded that he would prefer a final between country's two traditional foes.