Muktijoddha Sangsad Krira made a rusty return in the National Bank Premier Football Leaeui- when they scored a 5-4 win <»\rr Rahmatganj Muslim friends Society in tlie tiebreaker after the opening match of the Super Four ended in a goalless draw at the Bangabandhu National yester-da\.

Back in business after a lour-dav recess. Muktijoddha ncM-r looked like a cohesive fow they were in the last three lines of (he first phase, where iliex floored both Mohammedan ind Aliah.mi in a spectacular turnaround of events

Their victories against two proven giants enabled them to finish atop tlie table

But the all-reds seemed to have develojjed the habit of faltering against the lesser teams.

Although Muktijoddha blanked Rahmatganj 3-0 in their first phase, they failed to score a single goal against the old-town outfit.

The only time Muktijoddha came close to scoring was early in the first half when their central defender Sujon came up with superb header, but only to be denied by the metalwork

Rahmatganj on the other hand looked the more likely team to score, creating a number of opportunities in each half

Rahmatganj captain and national striker Moni almost

found the net with a intelligent header in the 34th minute. But reserve Muktijoddha custodian Bi ion Barua saved his side, tipping the ball over the bar at I he last moment.

Bijou came to his side's rescue again when he fisted away a jMiwerful shot from Rahmat-ganj's substitute forward Jalal nine minutes into the second half.

Moni had BiJon at his mercy five minutes later, but blasted tlie ball wide off the mark.

The match ultimately headed for the shootout when Rahmatganj's custodian Milon clung on to a close range shot from Muktijoddha's Uzbek midfielder Nazarov Yarkin seven minutes away from final whistle.

Playing his first match, the lanky Uzbek booter failed to make any lasting Impression. Moreover, he picked uj) an injury and limped off the ground.

Muktijoddha played with ten men in tlie last seven minutes.

Although they had a strong reserve bench, coach Manik appeared unwilling to field a player in place of injured Yarkin. Also, speedy winger Mintu was playing with a sling on his left arm.

In the tie-breaker Muktijoddha enjoyed hundred per cent success with Masud Rana. Saurav. Hasan al Mamun. Prodip and Rajam scoring from the SJMJt.

While Bijon, who was deputising for injured national number one custodian AminuL saved the penultimate kick of

Rahmatganj's Munir diving to Ins right.

The tie-break win improved Muktijoddha points tally to 26 points from ten games.

Rahmatganj. the odd team in the 'Super Four.’ increased their tally to 15 points from ten games

Yellow cards: /\nwar and

Shamim (Rahmatganj)

TEAMS

MUKTIJODDHA: BiJon.

Hasan al Mamun. Prodip. Ra-Jani. Sujon. Masud Rana. Tushar (Jov). Mintu. Yarkin. Shamsher (Farhad) (Saurav Raju) and Amin Rana

RAHMATGANJ: Milon.

Monir. Kingshuk. A|hi. Jahangir. Anwar. Shamim. Chanchai. Fakrul (Jalal). Milon and Moni

Referee; Tajul Islam.