High flying Sheikh Russel KC were shot down to ground as the Bangladeshi club’s debut AFC President’s Cup appearance came to an end with a shocking 0-4 defeat at the hands of North Korea’s Rimyongsu Club.
The Bangladesh Premier League side won their opening Group B game against Mongolian side Erchim FC 1-0 and needed another win in their final game at the Sugathadasa Stadium yesterday, but Rimyongsu emerged as group champions following the victory with six points and booked their place in the final while the Bengal Blues finished second with three points.
Ri Jin-hyok opened the scoring for the North Korea champions and skipper Pak Song-chol doubled the lead in the opening half before Ro Hak-su and Kim Kyong-il extended the lead in the latter half to give Russel their first defeat in the tournament.
Russel coach Jakaria Babu wants to take lessons from the tournament where they became the first Bangladeshi club to qualify for the final round of AFC President’s Cup.
“I didn’t expect a scoreline like this; we made a few mistakes and got punished. Rimyongsu are a very strong side and that’s why they are going to the final,” said the Russel coach after the game.
“We learnt a lot from this tournament and we will take on board these lessons and we will improve in the future,” he added.
Rimyongsu were the more adventurous side from the start, with Russel looking to sit deep and hit target-man Kingsley Chigozie with long balls from the back.
Russel could have conceded more than one goal in the first 20 minutes but their keeper Mamun Khan produced three lovely saves to deny the North Korean side.
But on the half-hour mark, Rimyongsu’s relentless pressure finally told as Ri Jin-hyok latched onto a low, skimming cross from Ri Chang-ho with a flying header that left Mamun helpless for the striker’s third goal in two games.
And on the stroke of half-time, Rimyongsu doubled their lead after Rezaul Karim fouled Pak 20-yards out of goal and the skipper dusted himself off before punishing the infringement in the most clinical fashion - a sumptuous strike that flew into the top-right hand corner with Mamun rooted to his line.
Rimyongsu made the scoreline 3-0 just five minutes after the re-start before substitute Kim slammed the ball home from inside the penalty area to add his side’s fourth goal of the afternoon inside the hour mark.
