Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra ensured their quarter-final berth at the Federation Cup 2018 as they beat Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad Krira Chakra 2-0 in their group stage match at Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka Wednesday.
Raphael Odovin scored the first goal in the match before Brazilian striker Alex Rafael ensured victory in injury time that also saw Muktijoddha, who lost to Abahani Limited in the first game, being eliminated from the tournament.
That also meant the final match between Abahani and Sheikh Russel will be the contest of becoming group champion of Pool C.
In the other match of the day, Team BJMC beat Brothers Union 3-2 thanks to a hat-trick from Uzbekistan midfielder Otabek which kept their hope alive.
In the first game of the day, Sheikh Russel, the champion of the 2012 edition, squandered an opportunity early in the match before Muktijoddha’s Japanese recruit Yasuke Kato’s shot was saved by the Sheikh Russel goalkeeper.
Arambagh reach fed cup quarter-finals https://t.co/6maGAeaNvb
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) October 30, 2018
The first half ended in a stalemate and Sheikh Russel’s Nigerian striker Odovin missed another chance in the 57th minute.
At last, Sheikh Russel got a goal in the 70th minute as Odovin beat the goalie from a counter-attack after getting a long-ball from Antonioni.
Odovin acted as the assist provider in the dying moments of the game as Rafael doubled the lead.
In the second game, Brothers took the lead in the 26th minute as Brazilian Viera Leonardo scored from a cross provided by his compatriot Everton Souza.
Otabek brought parity in a rather fortuitous way in injury time of the first half as his free-kick deflected off the defenders before reaching home.
New sensation of Dhaka football, Basundhara Kings made an outstanding start in the season as they beat falling giant Mohammedan Sporting Club Limited 5-2, despite trailing twice at Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka Monday.https://t.co/qp2ElPmvSv#BASHUNDHARAKINGS #BFF #BK
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Brothers regained the lead in the 51st minute thanks to the two Brazilians and this time, the roles were reverse as Souza headed home Leonardo’s cross.
But Brothers’ defender Khan Mohammad Tara’s foul on Samsun Iliasu three minutes later became the turning point of the game as he got his second yellow card for the offense and Odovin scored his second goal from an inch-perfect free-kick.
Odovin further punished the 10-man side as he scored from the box in the 58th minute and in the end, that was enough for BJMC to secure full three points.
BJMC lost their first match against Saif Sporting Club 3-2 and Saif Sporting’s match against Brothers Monday will decide the fate of the group.
The match will be held Saturday after a press release from the BFF informed that the Bangabandhu Stadium will be handed over to Ministry of Culture for today and tomorrow, hence the scheduled matches of those days were bodily shifted.
RESULTS
Muktijoddha 0 2 Sk Russel (Raphael 70, Alex 90+2)
Brothers 2 (Lima 26, Everton 51) 3 BJMC (Otabek 45+2, 54, 58)