A 65th-minute header from on-loan Muktijoddha Sangsad KC forward, Kinglsey Chigozie, was enough for Sheikh Russell Krira Chakra to prevail over Erchim FC of Mongolia 1-0 in their opening match of the AFC President’s Cup final round at the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo on Saturday. Although Russell were pegged back for long spells in the first half of the Group B opener, Nigerian forward Chigozie rose highest to head home and give the tournament debutants all three points under the boiling feat of Colombo.
While Erchim had dominated the first half, they faded badly in the second period and now must regroup for Monday’s meeting against Rimyongsu Club of South Korea.
On the other hand, a win against North Korean side Rimyongsu on Wednesday will propel the 2013 Bangladesh Premier League champions into the final of the competition.
In a fast opening to the tie, Sheikh Russell forward Zahid Hasan Ameli had sounded an early warning of his goal threat after only two minutes when his curling free-kick from 20 yards out went narrowly over the crossbar.
And just eight minutes later the same player had the ball into the net, but Ameli had strayed offside before turning in Anwar Hossain’s cross at the back post.
Thereafter, though, it was Erchim who looked the more convincing going forward with 18-year-old playmaker Tuguldur Munkh-erdene behind much of their good work.
Ostensibly playing as a left-winger, Munkh-erdene cut into the middle at regular intervals, and it was the teenager’s dancing feet with eight minutes remaining till the break that gave Erchim their best chance of the half.
First bamboozling his marker on the halfway line, Munkh-erdene then slipped a delicate through ball into the 16-yard area, where Sundorj Janchiv was inches away from connecting until Sheikh Russell keeper Mamun Khan intercepted with a sliding feet-first block.
At halftime, Russell coach Zakaria had clearly seen enough and brought on Mohammed Murad to take over the right-flank of his backline and quell the dangerous Munkh-erdene.
And the tactical switch paid dividends as the tricky number 10’s influence waned considerably following the re-start as Russell wrested momentum back and took the lead shortly after the hour mark.
A clumsy challenge by Davaajav Battur on Ameli on the left edge of the penalty area was clinically punished as Mithun Chowdhury’s resulting free-kick found the towering form of Chigozie at the back post, and the striker powered his header down past goalkeeper Ariunbold Batsaikhan.
Erchim tried to restore parity but with Munkh-erdene now a shadow of his first-half self the Mongolian club struggled to break down the Sheikh Russell backline.
Despite the win, Sheikh Russell coach Zakaria Babu was not satisfied with his team’s performance.
‘I am not satisfied with the performance despite the win but that’s maybe because of the hot weather it was difficult to play to their full potential,’ said Zakaria.
‘I told the players at halftime not to worry about the goalless scoreline and to play their normal game and the goal would come.
‘I am convinced, though, that my team will be able to raise their game for the subsequent fixtures and I am pleased we have begun the tournament with a win.’
-With New Age input
