Sheikh Russell reach final

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Sheikh Russell KC stormed into the final of the Independence Cup Football Tournament beating Mohammedan SC by a solitary goal in the 2nd semifinal at the Bangabandhiu National Stadium in the city Friday, reports UNB. Sheikh Russell KC will play the final against Farashganj SC tomorrow (Sunday) at the same venue at 5:00 pm. Bangladesh Television (BTV) will telecast the match live. Russian striker Eduard Sakhnevich scored the match-winning goal for Sheikh Russell KC in the 29th minute. He raced with the ball from midfield and found the net with an angular shot from about 13 yards giving no chance to Mohammedan custodian Titu under the bar (1-0). Sheikh Russell KC was deprived of another goal in the 43rd minute when their foreign recruit Effiong Duke's lofted shot from inside the D-box narrowly sailed over the cross bar. After the resumption, Mohammedan SC seemed desperate to restore the parity and launched some real attacks in their bid to come back in the match, but failed to convert any of those into goal. Mohammedan's Nigerian striker Chizaba took a powerful left-footed shot from inside the danger zone in the 53rd minute, but Sheikh Russel's custodian Mamun made a brilliant save as he took the ball in his grip. Mohammedan was again deprived of a goal in the 65th minute. This time onrushing Ghanaian recruit Amani's powerful shot from inside the D-box off Chizaba's close pass was again cleared by Sheikh Russell custodian Mamun, who played superbly under the bar. Amani missed another scoring chance in the 70th minute when his powerful shot from inside the danger zone was cleared by defender Prodip Barua from the goal line at the cost of corner. Sheikh Russell KC clearly dominated the first half but took a defensive strategy in the 2nd half while Mohammedan SC, despite their repeated attempts in the 2nd half, failed to overturn the fate of the match. Earlier, in the group match of the tournament, Sheikh Russell KC also edged past Mohammedan SC by a solitary goal. On Thursday, Farashganj SC reached the final for the first time in domestic football history beating star-studded Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club by 1-0 goal at the same venue. Teams: Mohammedan SC - Titu, Ronny, Liton (Tapu), Amani, Mamun, Anwar, Ramjan, Ridon (Sohel), Shariful, Chibaza and Baybeck. Sheikh Russell KC - Mamun, Murad, Aminul, Prodip, Mezbabul (Shahed), Moro, Eduard, Raju, Mobarak, Abass and Duke.