Bangladesh Premier League champions Sheikh Russell Krira Chakra were on the brink of qualifying for the final round of the AFC President’s Cup after their 5-0 demolition of Sri Lanka Air Force at the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka on Friday.
With the win, Russell are currently topping Group A with four points from two matches. Khan Research Laboratories of Pakistan have also earned the same number of points but Russell are above them for a better goal difference.
Now to secure a final round berth, Russell only need a point from their last group match against Ugyen Academy of Bhutan, who conceded a 3-0 defeat to KRL on Friday.
Eleven clubs divided into three groups are participating in the group stage. Group A and B are made of four teams while Group C contains three clubs. So the results against the bottom clubs of Group A and B will not be considered.
Due to floodlight trouble, the organisers changed the match time and so the match between Russell and Sri Lanka AF started at 5:00pm instead of 7:00pm.
The changed schedule could not make an effect on the visitors’ spirit as the Bangladeshi blues dominated the match all through.
With the win, Russell’s Montenegrin coach Dragan Gjukanovic tasted his first victory with the club after he replaced treble-winning coach Maruful Haque.
Though Mithun Chowdhury scored a brace, their Haitian playmaker Pascal Millien was the architect of his team’s convincing win.
He had a hand in his team’s first three goals, scored by Shakil Ahmed and Mithun Chowdhury, before netting from a free-kick to make the scoreline 4-0.
Substitute striker Sabuj Das put the icing on the cake by scoring his team’s fifth goal just three minutes from time.
Shakil put Russell ahead in the 14th minute from Pascal’s through pass, the left winger fired the ball into the net from outside of the box.
Mithun doubled the lead in the 35th minute as his Haitian team-mate against provided a neat pass to him and the local striker made no mistake to place the ball home.
Ten minutes after the resumption, Mithun made it 3-0 while Pascal scored the fourth from the free-kick in the 60th minute.
In the 87th minute, Sabuj Das joined the goal fest after he replaced Mithun Chowdhury.
Russell will face Bhutanese champions Ugyen Academy in their last group match on Sunday.
Result
Sheikh Russell KC 5 (Shakil14, Mithun 35, 55, Pascal 60, Sobuj 87) v Sri Lanka Air Force SC 0
-With New Age input
