Sheikh Russel and Chittagong Abahani recorded contrasting wins of 5-0 and 1-0 over Uttar Baridhara and Farashganj respectively in the Federation Cup at Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
Although the results were different, both the winners progressed to the quarterfinals of the season’s curtain-raiser, the 27th Federation Cup.
Russel, who played against Tajik side Khayr Bahdat in the AFC Cup playoff last week, took time to assert their dominance and once they attained their customary rhythm, their speed and attacking flair was too much to handle for a weak Uttar Baridhara side.
With five attackers in Jahid Hasan Emily, Kingsley Chigozie, Paul Emile, Mithun Chowdhury and Yousuf Sifat, Russel made life hard for the Uttar Baridhara backline.
However, they had to wait till the 23rd minute to break the deadlock, courtesy a cool finish from Nigerian forward Chigozie. Rightly anticipating the path of a through pass delivered by skipper Mithun, the strongly-built Chigozie chipped the ball over the onrushing Uttar Baridhara goalkeeper Mohammad Rajib.
Forward Emily doubled the lead four minutes later with a nice sliding move with winger Yousuf providing the assist.
Veteran Emily struck again in the 35th minute when he headed in a Topu Barman cross from the middle of the box. Cameroonian forward Emile made it 4-0 eight minutes after resumption as the Uttar Baridhara defence failed to clear a left-flank cross from Wali Faisal. An unmarked Emile thumped in a fierce right-footer. Chigozie scored his second and completed the rout two minutes before the final whistle.
Besides Russel, Muktijoddha also made it to the quarterfinals from Group B. Muktijoddha had previously blanked Uttar Baridhara 4-0.
Chittagong Abahani earlier clinched a quarterfinal berth from Group C with a 1-0 win over Farashganj.
Chittagong Abahani forward Khaled Ahmed slammed in the all-important goal in the second and final minute of injury time.
Alongside Chittagong Abahani, Abahani also sealed a quarterfinal berth as Farashganj also lost their opening game against Abahani 2-0.
