UNB, Dhaka
Sheikh Russell KC kept their hope of a semifinal berth alive as they edged past Rahmatganj MFS by a solitary goal in Group A match of the Citycell Super Cup Football at the Bangabandhu National Stadium (BNS) Friday.
After a barren first half, Serbian striker Vukadin Milonivic scored the all-important goal for Sheikh Russell KC in the 52nd minute with a volley from inside the danger zone utilizing a right wing cross from Moroccan recruit Samir Omari.
Sheikh Russell KC will play their last group match against B. League champions Dhaka Abahani on Sunday at 5:30 pm at the BNS. State-owned Bangladesh Television will telecast the match live.
In their opening matches on Wednesday, Sheikh Russell KC suffered a 2-0 defeat against Chittagong Mohammedan while the old Dhaka outfit Rahmatganj MFS conceded a 3-0 defeat to Dhaka Abahani.
After the day’s match, Sheikh Russell KC skipper Mahmudul Hasan told the reporters that with their back to the wall after losing the opening day’s match, the boys pledged to play good football.
He said they took to the field today determined to get the better of Rahmatganj as the match was a must win situation for them.
Rahmatganj MFS coach Mir Faruk said they took control of the match in the first half, but failed to keep the momentum in the second half.
He said that their boys got some real scoring chances in the first half, but could not convert those into goal due to ill luck.
Sheikh Russell KC came close to score in the 40th minute as a Vukadin Milonivic back volley from vantage position off Aminul right wing cross narrowly missed the target.
Striker Milonivic missed a goal in the 62nd minute, as his powerful close range shot was gripped by Rahmatganj MFS custodian Ali.
Rahmatganbj MFS launched attack early in the 16th minute, but their Uganda recruit Idris standing at vantage position failed to push the ball home off a Kabir Hossain cross.
In the very next minute, Idris again missed another scoring chance when his powerful shot from the top of the D box sailed harmlessly over the cross bar.
Rahmattganj MFS got the last chance to level the margin in the 84th minute, but Nigerian striker NCHE Franchise header from inside the D-box off Hanif Prodhan cross returned to play after hitting the cross bar.
Yellow cards: Biplob and Aminul (Sk Russell KC)
Teams:
Sk Russell KC – Biplob, Proshanto, Mahmudul, Zahirul, Aminul, Rachid, Tanveer (Rajon), Marko, Abu (Nurul), Samir and Milunovic.
Rahmatganj MFS – Ali, Nurul, Imrose (Babu), Jahangir, Kabir (Ripon), Herok (Hanif), Franchise, Idris, Felix, Kaba and Tajul.
Referee: Abdul Hannan Miron
Saturday’s Group B matches: Brothers Union vs Chittagong Abahani (3:30 pm) and Dhaka Mohammedan vs Farashgaj SC (5:30 pm on BTV), both at BNS.
Courtesy of The Bangladesh Today
