Sheikh Russell are on the brink of clinching historic quadruple after in-form striker Jahid Hasan Emily’s sensational brace allowed them to beat Brothers Union 2-0 to reach the final of the Grameenphone Super Cup at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday. National striker Emily, who was the joint top scorer with Haitian hitman Sony Norde for Sheikh Russell in the Bangladesh Premier League with six goals, was in the best of form in the in the group stages but managed to rise to the occasion yesterday by netting twice in the opening half. Emily almost scored his hat-trick, but missed a penalty in the 65th minute. The two teams were hit by contrary fortunes just ahead of the game. Russell’s coach Maruf was able to put Rezaul Karim Reza, who had been out injured for almost four months, in the starting line-up, while Brothers were forced to replace captain and key defender Yousuf Ali Khan with Krishna Pada Biswas due to injury. It was Krishna’s blunder that allowed Russell’s second goal, but the underdogs’ spirited forward line, led by Jewel Rana and Yusuf Sifat, continuously posed threats to the Russell defence. Experience, however, proved to see Russell through the danger. Russell have the most number of players to play for the national team of any outfit, while Brothers had the least. The Gopibagh outfit could consider themselves unlucky as their reasonable appeal for a pentlay with just two minutes of play left was denied by referee Mizanur Rahman. To add insult to injury, Emily netted another goal for Russell just two minutes later. Brothers had a golden opportunity to level matters after Uttam Kumar miscued header fell to Jewel Rana, who saw his shot fisted away by Russel keeper Biplob. The ball came to Rana’s strike partner Yusuf Sifat, whose side-volley flew over the bar. Emily could have scored his hat-trick to seal the victory but his 65th minute penalty was saved by Sujon. After dribbling past Brothers full-back Pronob Kumar with some blistering pace, Zahid provided a low cross from the right wing towards the six yard box. Ashraful Karim blocked the delivery with his hand to give Russell a penalty. Russell will play either Mohammedan or Muktijoddha in the final on June 25. Result Sk Russell 2-0 Brothers U
Match Highlights
2’ Brothers were denied a penalty. Jewel Rana dribbled past two defenders before taking a shot that hit Reza’s left hand inside the penalty area.
GOAL! 4’ Zahid Hasan Emily stabbed in a low cross from left-back Nahidul Islam to give Sheikh Russell the lead.
26’ Brothers had a golden opportunity to score the equaliser. Jewel Rana’s powerful strike saved by Biplob, before Yusuf Sifat sent the rebound over the bar.
GOAL! 29’’ Emily again! The national striker utilised a fumble from Brothers defender Krishna on a lob from Mamunul Islam to place the ball passsed Sujon into the net.
45+1’ Emily’s shot got past the goalie but defender Ashraful cleared the ball off the line.
65’ Penalty to Russell! But Sujon saved Emily’s effort from the spot to deny him the hat-trick with a dive to the left.
