Dhaka- Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra smartly moved into the semifinals of the 13-team Walton Independence Cup Football Tournament’2018 eliminating last year’s runners-up Chattogram Abahani Limited by 2-0 goals in the 2nd quarterfinals at the Bangabandhu National Stadium here on Wednesday.Saiful Bari’s boys will play the first semifinal against Brothers Union Club on December 19 at 4:30 pm at the same venue.
Old Horse Brothers Union Club are the first team to reach the semifinals upsetting defending champions Arambagh KS by 4-3 goals in tie-breaker as the match was locked 3-3 goals in the stipulated 90-minute time and also in the 30-minute extra session.
Last year’s champions Arambagh KS and runners-up Chattogram Abahani Limited made their exit from the meet in two successive days.
In the day’s match, Uzbek booter Alisher Azizov and Nigerian player Raphael Odovin scored two quick goals in a span of only three minutes of the first half for Sheikh Russel KC, which luckily managed a quarterfinal berth from the death Group D after playing goalless draw in both of their group matches at the coffin of formidable Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club.
Azizov put Sheikh Russel KC ahead in the 35th minute by a right footer when a cross from Bishwanath came his way from a Raphael header (1-0).
Raphael doubled Sheikh Russel’s margin in the 38th minute, off a Biplo Ahmed long pass (2-0).
In the remaining quarterfinals, Group C champions Dhaka Abahani will play Saif SC on Thursday (Dec 13) while Group D champions Bashundhara Kings will meet Rahmatganj MFS on Friday (Dec 14), both at 4:30 pm.UNB
