Fareast Uni clinch title

Fareast University clinched the title of the Shahjalal Islami Bank 2nd Faraaz Gold Cup Inter University Football Tournament after beating South East University 8-7 in a nerve-wracking tiebreaker after regulation time ended in a goalless draw at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

Goalkeeper Shohag Mia denied Toufiqur Rahman in the ninth shot to send the students and players of Fareast University into raptures. It was a sweet success for Fareast University, who had to be content with a runners-up trophy in the inaugural edition last year.

The penalty-shootout under floodlights at the Big Bowl was a dramatic display as Fareast University were on the verge of defeat in their second successive final but South East University's Tousif rattled the crossbar, turning the shootout into sudden death with the two sides locked at 4-4 after the first five shots.

Both teams then converted three successive shots before Razib converted the eighth shot to put Fareast University ahead and goalkeeper Rana stopped Toufiqur's shot to ensure the title of the Faraaz Gold Cup, which was introduced by Sonali Otit Club in a bid to spread the spirit of Faraaz Ayaaz Hossain among the young generation as well as to keep the youth away from drugs and militancy.

Both teams played planned football and created scoring opportunities as the players seemed to have developed good positional sense under the coaching of former national player Alfaz Ahmed, who is coaching South East University, and former BKSP player Shofiqul Islam, coach of Fareast University.

“I'm unable to express how good I am feeling after winning the final. We are really happy to make our university proud by clinching the title which we missed last year,” said Fareast University captain Ahsanullah Rana.

“We were in practice before the start of the tournament and played a tournament organised by Independent University where we became champions, but our ultimate target was to win the Faraaz Gold Cup,” said Rana, a student of the EEE department.

“The name Faraaz is now an inspiration to us and he is an idol among the students, who should uphold Faraaz's values. What Faraaz did was an instance for all because we, nowadays, don't stand by our relatives in danger,” said Fareast University coach Shofiqul.

Former footballer and coach Alfaz said that there are a good number of talented players at the university level and some of them are already playing in the championship league, senior league and second division league.

“I have seen a player named Piash who has the ability to play in a top-tier league but to be honest, these students are more focused on studying than playing football,” said Alfaz.