Sheikh Russel reach Fed Cup semis

A first-half strike from Nigerian forward Kenneth Ikechukwu Ngwoke took Sheikh Russel to the semifinals of the Federation Cup as they secured a 1-0 win against Rahmatganj at the Birshreshtha Shaheed Flight Lt Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj yesterday.

Sheikh Russel, runners-up of this season's Independence Cup, will face defending champions Abahani on May 16 after Independence Cup champions Bashundarha Kings take on Mohammedan on May 9.

Sheikh Russel got off to a fine start as they controlled the midfield. They went ahead in the 17th minute as Ngoke brilliantly drove to the far post from a cut-back from Mfon Udoh Sunday.

After resumption, Sheikh Russel were reduced to 10 men after defender Abid committed a second bookable offence in the 58th minute, but Rahmatganj, runners-up in the last edition of the Federation Cup, could not capitalise on that advantage.

Instead, it was Sheikh Russel who went closest to scoring. But Ngwoke squandered an opportunity with only the goalkeeper to beat by driving wide while substitute Dipok Roy also missed the target in stoppage time.