Saif ensure last four

DHAKA -  Saif Sporting Club confirmed their spot of semifinal when they beat ten men Swadhinata Krira Sangha by 2-0 goals in the second quarterfinal of the Independence Cup Football held tonight (Friday) at Birshreshtha Shaheed Sepoy Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Stadium in the city’s Kamalapur.

Saif will now play the first semifinal against Dhaka Abahani Limited on Tuesday (Dec 14) at the same venue.

In the day’s match, forwards Maraz Hasan and Foysal Ahmed  scored one goal each for Saif SC.

After the regulation time, Maraz Hasan finally broke the deadlock scoring the first goal for Saif in the 91st minute while Foysal Ahmed sealed the victory scoring the second goal in the 101th minute of the match.    

Zillur Rahman of Swadhinata Krira Sangha was shown direct red card by the referee for his unsporting behavior.

Earlier, in the day’s first quarterfinal, Dhaka Abahani Limited, as the first team, reached semifinal crushing Bangladesh Army football team by 4-0 goals also held at the same venue.   

Meanwhile, the remaining two quarterfinals will be held on Sunday (Dec 12) with group B champions Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra Limited will take on group D runners-up Bangladesh Police Football Club at 5.15 pm while group D champions Bashundhara Kings face group B runners-up Lieutenant Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club at 8 pm.

Both the matches will be held at the same venue.  

The Federation Cup runners-up Saif Sporting Club, who earlier emerged group C champions, beat Bangladesh Army football team by 2-1 goals in their group opening match, defeated Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad Krira Chakra by 3-2 goals in their second match and played a 1-1 goal draw with Mohammedan Sporting Club Limited in their last group match of the tournament.BSS