A second-half goal from Nigerian striker Eleta Kingsley helped Muktijoddha Sangsad KC edge past defending champions Sheikh Russell KC 1-0 in the Walton Federation Cup at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
The victory took Muktijoddha top of the Group B with six points and now they will face Group C runners-up Brothers Union in the quarterfinals on November 30. Sheikh Russell will take on Team BJMC on December 1 in the same stage.
The treble winners of last season Sheikh Russell once again failed to stage the flare like their previous season. After a narrow one nil win over Chittagong Abahani in their first game, the reigning champions were outplayed by Muktijoddha and the final score hardly justifies their performance on the field.
Muktijoddha, on the other hand, were rock solid in their defence and the sound midfield provided the support to their forwards who physically outplayed the Russell defence in the first 20 minutes of the second-half. The Muktis created five goal scoring chances after the breather, but could only convert one which in the end was enough to secure full three points for them.
Russell flew in French midfielder Eric Roger prior the game on Monday and had only one day to prepare himself for the match. However, one day was enough for the French midfielder who showed glimpse of brilliances with some lovely through passes and lobs. He also provided a glorious opportunity for Jamaican forward Ricardo in the 44th minute.
The continuous press by the Muktis finally paid off in the 64th minute when Eleta Kingsley receiving a short pass from Maruf and broke into the penalty area, outmuscled his marker and fired the ball past Biplob.
Muktijoddha Goalkeeper Aminul denied Russell to get back in the game as he fisted away Russell substitute Robin’s header in the injury time to register a clean sheet under his name.
Match Highlights
Muktijoddha SKC 1-0 Sheikh Russell KC
19” Biplob hits the sidebar after the clearance from Maruf’s free-kick falls onto his feet
44” French midfielder Eric Roger found Ricardo Cousins in the penalty box with a lovely lob, but the Jamaican’s shot goes wide
53” Eleta Kingsley skipped past Rajani to trigger a shot that went straight to the keeper
59” Eleta’s 30-yard long powerful strike hits the woodwork and Biplob follows it up with a superb save to deny Nkwocha Kisgsley’s close range shot off the rebound
GOAL! 64” Eleta grabs the lead for Muktis. Breaking into the penalty area the Nigerian striker fired the ball past goalkeeper Biplob
90+” Roger’s cross from the left flank found Robin inside the six-yard box, but the substitute forward’s header saved brilliantly by Aminul
