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Mohammedan Sporting Club silenced their critics as they blanked Border Security Force by a remarkable 4-1 margin to clinch the trophy in the 27th Steel Express Cup organised by the South Eastern Railway Sports Association, Chakradharpur at the Iqbal Singh Sandhu Stadium on Wednesday.
Previously the Black Panthers have won the tournament twice in 2001 and 2011.
The stadium was literally overflowing with spectators that had gathered in large number to watch the match and boost the morale of the teams.
Both the sides proved equal to the task wherein the Black Panthers had their first say at the goal in the 7th minute of play as Ripon Rahman sent a low cross across the face of the BSF goal but Jiten Murmu was a wee bit late in getting his feet to the ball. Two minute later Tirthankar Sarkar neatly set up Imran Khan who was timely dispossessed by the BSF goalkeeper.
After some midfield action Mohammedan Sporting managed to break the deadlock in the 29th minute of play when the BSF goalkeeper’s error proved to be too costly, as Cho Lepcha pounced on the opportunity and fired the ball home.
Having scored, Mohammedan Sporting increased their pressure and doubled the lead just two minutes later as Prohlad Roy slotted from edge of the box.
After going down 0-2, the BSF strikers initiated attacks but it was their defence that let them down again when Jiten got the better of a defender and sent the ball to unmarked Lepcha who made no mistake to tap it home in the 45th minute to give Mohammedan Sporting a three goal cushion going into the breather.
After the lemon break, Mohammedan Sporting continued to dominate the proceedings and netted their fouth in the 63rd minute through Jiten.
Meanwhile, BSF did not go down without a fight and pulled a goal back in the 68th minute through P.K. Tiwari.
Player of the tournament was awarded to Tirthankar Sarkar, winners were rewarded with Rs 150,000 plus a trophy while the runners-up had to content with Rs 100,000 plus trophy.
