Ethiopian forward Fikru Teferra slammed a brilliant hat-trick as Sheikh Russell Krira Chakra registered a hard-fought 3-2 win over Team BJMC in their Independence Cup match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Thursday. In the second match of the day, Mohammedan Sporting Club eased to a 2-0 win over Uttar Baridhara at the same venue.Fikru gave Russell the lead in the fourth minute through a penalty after BJMC fullback Saiful brought him down inside the box.
Russell’s lead, however, sustained only for three minutes as striker Mehedi Hasan Tapu restored the parity for BJMC with a well paced shot from the goal mouth melee following a cross from Eleta Kingsley.
BJMC dominated the first half, thanks to the continuous pressing of their attacking duo Tapu and Kingsley.
Tapu could get his second goal in the 24th minute but his nice volley was brilliantly saved by Russell keeper Russell Mahmud Liton.
Fikru restored the lead in the 54th minute with a nice header on a Rajon cross from the right flank.
BJMC were reduced to 10-man just two minutes later when their Nigerian stopper back Baybeck got the direct marching order after his brutal lunge on Russell forward Rummon Hossain.
Fikru completed the second hat-trick of the tournament in the 76th minute with another placing shot.
Nigerian midfielder Samson Iliasu reduced the margin for BJMC with an 83rd minute strike.
Meanwhile, in the other match, Masuk Miah Jony opened the account for Mohammedan with a thumping right footed volley in the 10th minute of the game against Baridhara.
Mohammedan’s Guinean forward Ismail Bangoura wasted a great chance to double the lead in the 21st minute when his feeble penalty was saved by Baridhara keeper Mohammad Razib after Aminur Rahman Sajib was brought down by defender Monir inside the box.
In the injury time of the match, Bangoura rectified his previous mistake by scoring from a stunning free-kick from just outside the box to give the Black and White their first win in two matches.
RESULTS
Sheikh Russell KC 3 (Fikru 4, 54, 76) v Team BJMC 2 (Tapu 7, Samson 83)
Mohammedan SC 2 (Jony 10, Bangoura 90+) v Uttar Baridhara 0
-With New Age input
