Sheikh Russell Krira Chakra booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Federation Cup with a comfortable 3-0 win over Muktijoddha Sangshad Krira Chakra at the Bangabandu National Stadium on Wednesday. The result saw cash-rich Chittagong Abahani bow out from the group stage as the bottom team of the Group B while Russell finished as group champions with four points from two games.
Muktijoddah, who were already assured of a place in the last eight, finished as runners up with three points.
Russell, who played out a 1-1 draw with Chittagong Abahani in their first group match, dominated the contest against Muktijoddha and took a 3-0 lead in the first half with Cameroonian forward Jean Jules Ikanga, midfielder Shahedul Alam and Haitian Paul Emile scoring one goal apiece.
Russell coach Maruful Haque deployed two foreigners in the starting XI after their in-form Ethiopian forward Fikru Teferra was given rest for a muscle strain.
However, Ikanga played a key role to fulfill the absence of Fikru, putting Russell ahead in the 29th minute with a nice tap in following a cross of Monayem Khan Raju.
Shahed doubled the lead three minutes later as the national midfielder found the back of net with a powerful right-footed drive from 30-yard out.
Emile made it 3-0 in the 44th minute when Nasirul Islam provided a neat lob for Ikanga, who brought the ball down for Emile and the Haitian made no mistake to send the ball home from the edge of the box.
In the second match of the day, Brothers Union came from behind to beat Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club 2-1 and finished the group as Group C champions.
Yeasin Khan put Sheikh Jamal ahead in the 70th minute before Haitian forward Augustin Walson netted two goals in the 82nd and 83rd minute to seal the victory for Brothers Union.
QUARTER-FINAL LINE-UP
June 17 Arambagh KS v Sheikh Jamal DC
June 18 Sheikh Russell KC v Rahmatganj MFS
June 19 Brothers Union v Abahani Limited
June 20 Team BJMC v Muktijoddha SKC
-With New Age input
