Two quick goals by Ghana striker Samuel helped Rahmatganj MFS to reach the semifinal of the season's curtain raiser soccer meet, the Independence Cup Football ' 2023 as the first team eliminating Bangladesh Police FC by 2-1:goals in the first quarterfinal at the Bashundhara Kings Arena here on Sunday.
They will play the first semifinal on December 15 at Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj against the winners of Dhaka Mohammedan and Chittagaong Abahani, who will meet each other in the 3rd quarterfinal on Tuesday (Dec 5) at Bir Shreshtha Fl Lt Shaheed Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj, UNB reports.
In the day's first quarterfinal, Colombian forward Edis Horacio put the Police FC ahead in the 24th minute from a penalty (1-0).
But, Ghana forward Samuel assured the old Dhaka outfit Rahmatganj's victory, scoring two quick goals in a span of only two minutes (29th and 31st minute).
Samuel levelled the margin in the 29th minute by a nice volley from the danger zone (1-1) while he scored the match- winner just two minutes later by a push from close, off a Susanta Tripura's free kick (2-1).
Meanwhile, Group B champions Dhaka Abahani Ltd played against Group A runners-up Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club in the 2nd quarterfinal also at the Bashundhara Kings Arena Sunday evening.
After a recess on Monday, Dhaka Mohammedan SC, the champions of Group C, will encounter Group D runners-up Chittagong Abahani Limited in the 3rd quarterfinal on Tuesday (December 5) at 1:45 pm at the Bir Shreshtha Fl Lt Shaheed Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj.
Star-studded Bashundhara Kings, the champions of Group D will play Group C runners- up Bangladesh Army Football team in the 4th and last quarterfinal, also on Tuesday at 4 pm at their home ground -- Bashundhara Kings Arena--in the capital.
The two semifinals will be held ten days later after the Bashundhara Kings vital AFC Cup Football match against Indian giant Odisha FC, billed for December 11 at Kalindi Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
The first semifinal will be held on December 15 at 1:45 pm at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj while the 2nd semifinal will also be held on the same day (Dec 15) at 4 pm at the Bashundhara Kings Arena in the city.
The title deciding final match will commence on December 18 at 1:45 pm at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj.
