Defending champions Sheikh Russell Krira Chakra failed to capture the imagination of their fans as they opened their Federation Cup campaign with a moderate 1-0 win over newly-promoted Chittagong Abahani on Friday at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.
Meanwhile in the other game of the day in the season’s curtain-raising tournament, Team BJMC were held to a shocking 2-2 draw by Bangladesh Police.
Treble winners last season that included the domestic football league title, Federation Cup and Independence Cup, Sheikh Russell were severely depleted before the season got underway through the departures of Haitian playmaker Sony Norde, national captain Mamunul Islam, national forward Zahid Hasan Ameli, national winger Zahid Hossain, Mohammed Linkon and Nahidul Islam to other clubs.
Sheikh Russell were unable to find adequate replacements that had an effect on their insipid performance while Chittagong Abahani on the other hand, who returned to the top flight after a gap of two years, displayed some eye-catching moves.
The Blue outfit scored the only goal of the game in the 18th minute through Moroccan Youness Roux who blasted the ball to the back of the net from a low Anwar cross from the right flank.
Despite the goal, Sheikh Russell were never involved heavily in the game as they gradually lost their stranglehold over their opponents.
Before the game started all eyes were firmly focussed on Uruguayan midfielder Francisco Andres but the South American was unable to exhibit any sort of control.
Chittagang Abahani got several chances to equalise but a lack of conviction from their forwards in the final third made sure Sheikh Russell got the three points.
Substitute Sohel Mia missed a glorious opportunity for Chittagong Abahani in the 53rd minute as he shot straight at the hands of Sheikh Russell goalkeeper Biplob Bhattacharjee.
Meanwhile, a brace from Mehedi Hasan Topu enabled Team BJMC to a 2-2 draw over Bangladesh Police.
Team BJMC went ahead in the 17th minute when Topu placed a rebound shot in the far post.
Bangladesh Police levelled the scoreline in the 76th minute when Amirul took control of a long ball from defender Sarwar Hossain Rony and placed the ball in the far post.
Bangladesh Police’s Kabirul Islam put his team ahead in the 88th minute when he scored from a low shot after a fine pass from teammate Johurul.
However, Topu saved Team BJMC from a potential defeat when he scored in the second minute of injury time to make it 2-2 in the dying stages of the game before the final whistle blew a few moments later.
RESULTS
Sheikh Russell KC 1 (Youness Roux 18) v Ctg Abahani Ltd 0; Bangladesh Police AC 2 (Amirul 76, Kabirul 88) v Team BJMC – 2 (Tapu 18, 90+ 2)
-With New Age input
