The match, which was played under floodlights, found the Mukti Joddha playing a much more organised game. In fact, had they utilised all their chances, they would have won the match. Yet, Mukti Joddha finished at the top of the group and will meet the winners of game between Bengal Mumbai Football Club and Railway FC in Saturday's second semi-final.

In the first semi-final on Friday, city giants Mohun Bagan and East Bengal will clash for a place in the final. The other team from Calcutta Mohameddan Sporting, made a premature exit from yet another tournament.

Mukti Joddha moved down the flanks very well, utilising the width of the field. Skipper Iqbal Ahmed Nakib was ever present in the striking zone, waiting for the moves to reach him. He did receive a number of them, and converted the very first into a goal in the 10th minute of the game.

Hasan-Al Mamun's flag-kick came in the centre of the Mohun Bagan circle and Nakib received it at chest height. The skipper hit the ball into the ground and Bagan goalkeeper Sandip Nandy was completely fooled as the ball entered the net after bouncing off the ground.

It needed the brilliance of I.M. Vijayan to get Bagan their equaliser in the 62nd minute of the game. Of course, the Mukti Joddha defence gave him ample time to take the bicycle kick which resulted in the goal. Amit Das, who rarely did anything worthwhile in the game except this move, moved in from the left and beating the defence, chipped the ball towards the Bangladesh goal from the goalline.

Goalkeeper Aminul Haque got his hand to it, but managed to push it only as far as Vijayan. The striker took his time in positioning himself for the bicycle kick, which crashed into the net.

A minute later, on a swift counter-attack, Nakib got have put Mukti Joddha ahead again, but his shot from very close went above the cross-piece.

Although both teams searched for another goal, the defence were cautious in the later part of the game, and they had to settle for a draw.