Arambagh in final at Sk. Jamal’s cost

Rank outsider Arambagh Krira Sangha took full advantage of 89 minute strike by Mohammad Jewel to scrape past former champions Sheikh Jamal DC in the final of the Walton Independence Cup on Monday at Bangabandhu National Stadium.

Arambagh KS, who last season also played season's curtain-raising Federation Cup final, will now play the final against the winners between holders Chittagong and Rahmatganj MFS on February 10. The win over Sheikh Jamal meant Arambagh reached the final of any tournaments for the fourth time, first time in Independence Cup, according to a news agency.

Energetic Arambagh KS ousted hot favourite Federation Cup and Bangladesh Premier League champions Abahani in the quarter-finals and today they made use most of the chances to post a well deserved win over their famed opposition.

After the kick-off, the ball was mostly confined to the midfield with both sides trying to take the control of the midfield though Arambagh caught the attention of the crisp passing as well as quick counter attacks.

After resumption, Sheikh Jamal dominated the midfield but Arambagh were too quick to counter and created at least three good chances within first 15 minutes of the second half but they could not cash in on those chances.

Sheikh Jamal DC were pressing for the lead and Javed Khan saw his goal-bound shot was intercepted by defender Abu Sufian Zahid which was narrowly drifted away over the crosspiece, much relief for Arambagh goalkeeper Azam Khan in the 88th minute.

After surviving from the attack, Arambagh launched a quick counter from the right flank with captain Shufil darting into the box from the right flank to cut the ball back for unmarked Jewel, who drove a left-footer inside the box to send Arambagh fans into a wild celebration in the 89th minute.

"It was the continuation of our good performance as we reached the final after facing top four teams of the just concluded league. Qualifying for the final is more than our achievement because we set our target to reach the semifinals," said Arambagh KS coach Maruful Haque.

"All credit goes to the boys who successfully executed the strategy of counter attack," said Maruful.

"We had to pay the price after wasting so many scoring chances. It was our bad day and good day for Arambagh because we did not avail the chances while Arambagh cashed in those opportunities," said Sheikh Jamal DC coach Mahbub Hossain Roxy.