Sheikh Russel KC all but confirmed a second round ticket from Group A in the AFC President’s Cup with a convincing 5-0 win over Sri Lanka Air Force at the Sughatdasa Stadium, Colombo yesterday.
The win and the five goal cushion saw Russel to top of the table with four points from two matches. Russell drew goalless with KRL Club of Pakistan in their opening game. KRL also beat Ugyen Academy of Bhutan by 4-0 goals to stay behind Russel on goal difference. SL Air Force have three points while Ugyen are yet to open their account.
In the last round Russel faces Ugyen while KRL meets Sri Lanka Air Force. A win can see Russel finish as group champions on goal difference while a draw means they will need KRL to beat Sri Lanka to see them go through as runners-up.
The unchanged XI from last match attained the rhythm in the match gradually with passing football. Russel’s dominance started with the first strike of Shakil in the 15th minute. Haitian midfielder Pascal Millien provided the through pass to Shakil who fired in a neat grounder from the top of the box.
Russel piled up considerable pressure and earned four corners in a span of 10 minutes before Mithun Chowdhury finally doubled the lead in the 35th minute assisted by Pascal. The combination increased the goal cushion again after the breather when Pascal’s pass was once again met by Mithun in the 55th minute.
After two assists, the Haitian Pascal further exhibited his brilliance with a superbly curled free-kick to score Russell’s fourth in the hour mark.
Captain and goalkeeper Biplob made a couple of decent saves as he had not much to do with his back line, led by Hasan al Mamun and Rezaul Karim, remaining strong throughout the stipulated time.
The final nail on the coffin was put by Sobuj Kumar Biswas, who replaced Mithun, in the 87th minute.
