The Malaysian club created history as they knocked out hosts and former champions Chattogram Abahani Limited 2-1 to claim their first-ever international tile.
The Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup is a biennial football event and was earlier held twice in 2015 and 2017. But the last edition of this eight-team meet was full of thrills and the fans enjoyed the real taste of football during the 10-day battle.
The booters of the participating clubs gave their performances to make the tournament memorable. UNB marked eight booters, including five super-performers and three super-flops, of the Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup.
Five Super-Performers
Lee Tuck, the goal machine of Terengganu FC
Terengganu FC Captain Lee Andrew Tuck proved his worth in the tournament. The English midfielder was adjudged player of the tournament and finished as the top scorer. Lee scored six goals, including two back to back hat-tricks.
The 31-year-old midfielder made his first and tournament’s second hat-trick scoring three goals against BPL Champions Bashundhara Kings in their last group match.
The Malaysian side were awarded by two consecutive penalties just before the half-time and Lee Tuck smartly converted those spot kicks while the English midfielder made his hat-trick as well as sealed the fate for his side with a long-range right-footer shot.
It was Lee’s second hat-trick at the MA Aziz Stadium. Tuck made his first hat-trick for Dhaka Abahani Ltd in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2016 against Muktijoddha SKC.
However, Lee showed his magic again in the day’s goal fest second semi-final match where his side outplayed Kolkata’s Mohun Bagan AC 4-2 goals to reach final.
Lee scored his second hat-trick in the tournament with all three goals from set-pieces – two from free-kicks and one penalty.
The set-piece master Lee also assisted Hairiey Hakim Bin Mamat, who scored first for the Malaysian club by a header from the goalmouth melee, in the final match against Ctg Abahani.
Bruno Junichi Suzuki Castanheira, the frontliner of Terengganu FC
Bruno Junichi Suzuki Castanheira came into spotlight after scoring the highest number of four goals in a match of the tournament. The Brazilian-Japanese striker made the first hat-trick of the ongoing tournament scoring four goals consecutive goals in their first match against Chennai City FC of India.
In the day’s game, Bruno helped midfielder Rahmat Bin Makasuf to open the account for his side. Then, the 29-year-old striker scored his four goals in a row to pile up huge 5-3 goals victory over the Indian side.
Jamal Bhuiyan: the charioteer of Chattogram Abahani Ltd
Bangladesh national football team captain Jamal Bhuiyan, who came on loan from Saif Sporting Club, strengthens the attacking side of Chattogram Abahani Limited. The Danish-born Bangladeshi midfielder Jamal played a vital role in their first match but Jamal gave his masterpiece performance in their second game against Young Elephants FC of Laos.
The 29-year-old midfielder netted twice and assisted one in the goal-fest match. In the 54th minute of the game, striker Rotkovic Luka equalized the margin 2-2 utilizing a cross of Jamal.
Then, in a span of six minutes (72nd and 78th minutes), the 29-year-old midfielder Jamal netted his first goal of the tournament by a left footer grounder inside from the box and sealed the fate of the match scoring his second and the fourth goal for Chattogram Abahani from a corner-kick (4-2).
Nathaniel Jude Garcia, the playmaker of FC Gokulam Kerala
Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Nathaniel Jude Garcia played a vital role for the Durand Cup Champions Sree Gokulam Kerala FC of India. Garcia helped his side to pile up a 3-1 goals win against Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football Champions Bashundhara Kings in their first match. The Trinidad and Tobago midfielder scored one in the 31st minute but helped Ugandan forward Henry Kisekka twice to score goals.
Garcia also helped his side against Chennai City FC in their third and last group match. This time Garcia helped Lal Romawia and Kisekka to score one goal each.
Chinedu Matthew: the heart of Chattogram Abahani Ltd
The Nigerian forward Chinedu Matthew scored total of four goals. Chinedu brace helped Ctg Abahani to make a flying start in the tournament as the hosts beat former champions TC Sports Club of Maldives by 4-1 goals in the opening match. Chinedu scored the team’s first and third goal to seal the fate for his side.
Chinedu netted his third goal against Young Elephants FC of Laos in their second group match. But the Nigerian proved himself in the first semifinal match. His header in the extra time rescued Chattogram Abahani and eliminated Sree Gokulam Kerala FC of India by 3-2 goals in the nail-biting match.
Three Super-Flops
Ibrahim Nadheem Adam, goalkeeper of TC Sports Club
TC Sports Club goalkeeper Ibrahim Nadheem Adam made several blunders which gifted their opponents to send the ball home. In the first game, Chattogram Abahani's Montenegrin forward Rotkovic Luka sealed the fate of the match scoring the fourth when Ibrahim Nadheem Adam failed to grab the ball. Ibrahim Nadheem conceded the second highest 8 goals in the tournament.
Rotkovic Luka, Montenegrin forward of Chattogram Abahani Ltd
Rotkovic Luka, the Montenegrin forward of Chattogram Abahani Ltd, failed to prove himself in the tournament. Despite scoring three goals, his poor finishers put his side in danger throughout the tournament.
Luka scored the lone goal for the hosts in the final but missed at least three close chances in the 13th, 70th and 81st minutes. The Montenegrin forward also missed close chance Gokulam Kerala FC against in the in the 83rd minute of first semifinal match.
Luka scored total three goals in the tournament – one against TC Sports Club in the first game and other was against Young Elephants FC of Laos in their second group match.
Katsumi Yusa, Japanese midfielder of Chennai City FC
The I-League Champions Chennai City FC conceded the highest 10 goals in the group stage. But Chennai City FC came into spotlight while their Japanese midfielder Katsumi Yusa involved in a clash with Spanish Coach of Bashundhara Kings Oscar Bruzon and Sri Lankan referee Lakmal Weerakkody in the 24th minute.
Katsumi kicked the table of fourth official to show his anger during the match. He also forced the match to stop for about eight minutes. After the match was resumed, Yusa got the marching order receiving the first red card of the tournament for the offense.
Katsumi scored one goal in the tournament against Terengganu FC in the group match.