Russel, BU to vie in first semis today

With almost equal prospect to qualify in the final Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra and Brothers Union will face each other in the first semifinal of the Walton Independence Cup Football tournament today.  

The match will take place at 4:30pm at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

Both the Sheikh Russel and Brothers moved into the knockout stage with equal status as the runners up from their respective group.  

But Sheikh Russel drew their both group-phase matches but had some confidence when they were drawn in the ‘Group of Death’ comprised with the tournament favourites Bashundhara Kings and Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club.

Russel secured their place in the last eight at the cost of Jamal’s elimination from the group phase when they (Jamal) went down to Bashundhara by 2-0 and forced Jamal to make a goalless draw.

The All Blues demonstrated some inspiring performance to outplay the Chattogram Abahani Limited by 2-0 in the quarterfinal and confirmed the semifinal berth.   

The story of Brothers’ coming into the semifinal was almost a same story when they also drew their both the group leg matches after beginning the campaign with one all draw with Muktijoddha and halted the favourites Abahani Limited to a goalless draw.  

But the Gopibagh outfit looked very exciting in the quarterfinal against the mighty Arambagh Krira Sangha, who defeated one of the tournament’s favourites Saif Sporting Club by 3-1. On the other hand Brothers came from behind twice to take 3-2 lead, though the 90 minutes and extra 30 minutes game  finally  ended on 3-3 draw before eliminating Saif SC in tie breaker.

However, now it can predict that the semifinal will be a competitive one when both sides will leave no stone unturned to advance into the final, as both coaches Syed Naeemuddin and Saiful Bari Titu and hinted of a competitive semifinal match.

Naeemuddin, who joined Brothers after the Federation Cup, made a huge change to bring the team into semifinal said, “It’s semifinal match, very important, Russel is very strong, heavy team so we will have to work hard.”

Replying to a query about their chance, the Arjun awarded veteran coach from India Naeemuddin said, “Result is important, we will try our best, boys should be sincere and work hard.”

“I respect every team,  we can’t underrate any team but to work hard,” said Syed Naeemuddin when talking to this correspondent before  going for practice session yesterday.

Saiful Bari Titu, Russel’s coach also said, “All the semifinalists are always strong sides, the match will not be easy.”

“We have some weaknesses in scoring, so our focusing will be to have goal as early as possible,” said about his team’s weakness.

“I have every respect for Brothers, team building is very good, specially after joining Neem Bhai (Syed Naeemuddin) they have a huge change, the match will be a competitive one.”

“Brothers will play without pressure, we will have also some pressure but sometimes pressure is good, because full concentration focused on the game.”

“You will not have chance to play in the final always, so whenever you will get the opportunity will give the effort on that level,” said Titu when talking to this correspondent.

Russel, BU to vie in first semis today

With almost equal prospect to qualify in the final Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra and Brothers Union will face each other in the first semifinal of the Walton Independence Cup Football tournament today. The match will take place at 4:30pm at the Bangabandhu National Stadium. Both the Sheikh Russel and Brothers moved into the knockout stage with equal status as the runners up from their respective group. But Sheikh Russel drew their both group-phase matches but had some confidence when they were drawn in the Group of Death comprised with the tournament favourites Bashundhara Kings and Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club. Russel secured their place in the last eight at the cost of Jamals elimination from the group phase when they (Jamal) went down to Bashundhara by 2-0 and forced Jamal to make a goalless draw. The All Blues demonstrated some inspiring performance to outplay the Chattogram Abahani Limited by 2-0 in the quarterfinal and confirmed the semifinal berth. The story of Brothers coming into the semifinal was almost a same story when they also drew their both the group leg matches after beginning the campaign with one all draw with Muktijoddha and halted the favourites Abahani Limited to a goalless draw. But the Gopibagh outfit looked very exciting in the quarterfinal against the mighty Arambagh Krira Sangha, who defeated one of the tournaments favourites Saif Sporting Club by 3-1. On the other hand Brothers came from behind twice to take 3-2 lead, though the 90 minutes and extra 30 minutes game finally ended on 3-3 draw before eliminating Saif SC in tie breaker. However, now it can predict that the semifinal will be a competitive one when both sides will leave no stone unturned to advance into the final, as both coaches Syed Naeemuddin and Saiful Bari Titu and hinted of a competitive semifinal match. Naeemuddin, who joined Brothers after the Federation Cup, made a huge change to bring the team into semifinal said, Its semifinal match, very important, Russel is very strong, heavy team so we will have to work hard. Replying to a query about their chance, the Arjun awarded veteran coach from India Naeemuddin said, Result is important, we will try our best, boys should be sincere and work hard. I respect every team, we cant underrate any team but to work hard, said Syed Naeemuddin when talking to this correspondent before going for practice session yesterday. Saiful Bari Titu, Russels coach also said, All the semifinalists are always strong sides, the match will not be easy. We have some weaknesses in scoring, so our focusing will be to have goal as early as possible, said about his teams weakness. I have every respect for Brothers, team building is very good, specially after joining Neem Bhai (Syed Naeemuddin) they have a huge change, the match will be a competitive one. Brothers will play without pressure, we will have also some pressure but sometimes pressure is good, because full concentration focused on the game. You will not have chance to play in the final always, so whenever you will get the opportunity will give the effort on that level, said Titu when talking to this correspondent.