Arambagh, also contenders to become the table-toppers after upsetting Sheikh Russel in the previous round, were undone by the national midfielder's first-time volley in the 38th minute before almost empty stands of the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

After equal exchange of possession, a counter attack inspired by Arman unsettled the rival defence when he found Moni at the right flank. The Reds skipper finally passed the ball to Brahim and the Moroccan's pinpoint square pass across the pitch fell to Munna who made no mistake to glide the ball into the left hand post of Arambagh goalkeeper Mitul.

In a match that could have gone either way, both sides tested the opposition goalies with long-range shots before Moni's 12th minute overhead pass set Alfaz with the first real chance. But the veteran striker, who did well to beat an offside trap, ran too wide with the ball to lose the advantage against the lone keeper.

Arambagh top-scorer Nicodemus then fluffed the easiest opportunity of the day in the 26th minute. The quick-footed Kenyan forward, who snatched the ball outsmarting three lurking Muktijoddha backs midway through the rival half, raced into the rival area without any challenge but unbelievably shot the ball over the bar from six yards.

This came just two minutes after Arambagh suffered a huge blow when their Kenyan defender Thomas Biketi was forced off the field due to an injury.

Arambagh were virtually playing with ten men as the management kept the pathetic Tabith Awal, who hardly touched the ball, on the pitch till 44 minutes. Ritu's arrival strengthen their attack after the break and Nicodemus, who has scored five goals so far, hit the sidenetting just after resumption before setting the ball for an overlapping Sharif who blasted over from 20 yards.

Abu Yusuf's boys, who also created and missed numerous half chances, hit back with a series of raids as the match approached the hour-mark. Alfaz once again got himself into a threatening position with Moni's through ball but the ageing forward's lack of pace gave Arambagh centre-back Akram enough time to run from behind and shield a powerful shot.

Munna then chipped the ball over from the edge of the area while fullback Titu fired a low drive just wide after a superb combined attack.

Arambagh, who stuck to fifth place with 13 points from eight games, worked hard in the last 20 minutes in a bid to reach the top spot for the first time but Titumir made two fine saves at the Reds goal to keep their slim lead intact.

Titumir, who has been playing regularly in absence of injured first choice keeper Aminul from the start of the season, kept out a low curling freekick by Domenic out of his goal before holding a long-range effort by rival captain Zuku on the line.

With five wins in nine games, Muktijoddha pushed their tally to 18 points and Abahani, who host Khulna Abahani in their eighth game tomorrow, are likely to join them at the end of the ninth week.

Yellow cards: Ghansah, Hassan Al Mamun (Muktijoddha) and Ramjan (Arambagh)

TEAMS
MUKTIJODDHA: Titumir, Hassan Al Mamun (Parvez), Rajani, Ghansah, Titu, Brahim, Arman (Maruf), Arman Aziz, Munna, Alfaz (Enamul) and Moni.

ARAMBAGH: Mitul, Ramjan, Biketi (Sumon), Akram, Monu, Sharif (Ridon), Iddi, Zuku, Domenic, Nicodemus and Tabith (Ritu).

Referee: Abdul Hannan.