Russel stay in hunt

Alfaz Ahmed missed a penalty but scored from the other to keep Sheikh Russel's slim hopes alive to finish runners-up in the Citycell B. League with a 1-0 win over Rahmatganj yesterday in the last match of the penultimate round.

The missed penalty meant that the veteran striker wasted a chance to overtake Mohammedan's Nigerian striker Alamu Bukola in the race for the top scorer as both came level on 16 goals.

The victory, Russel's 11th in 19 games, ensured their third place but to bag the second spot, they must now keep their fingers crossed for Mohammedan to lose to Chittagong Abahani in the final round.

If second-placed Mohammedan, who have a three-point advantage, lose in Chittagong and Russel, who are on 38 points, can win their final game against Farashganj, both teams will finish on equal points and a play-off will be needed to separate the two sides.

Rahmatganj, who held Russel 2-2 in the first leg, began brightly at the Bangabandhu National Stadium but paid for squandering opportunities.

Ugandan striker Idris Kasirye, Nigerian Nche Francis and Ripon all fluffed their scoring chances while Moroccan striker Samir Omari spoiled Russel's only real chance in the first half.

Russel, who had all three foreigners back in the side after missing Omari through suspension in their 2-1 loss to champions Abahani in the previous round, geared up after the break and finally went ahead in the 59th minute from a spotkick.

Impressive right-winger Mobarak was fouled by Kabir inside area and Alfaz sent Rahmatganj goalkeeper Mohammed Ali the wrong way to separate the two sides.

Four minutes later, the old-Dhaka outfit conceded the second penalty of the match when Ashraful brought down Omari inside the box.

Alfaz hit the mark from the 12-yard spot but referee Tayeb Hasan ordered a re-kick as Rahmatganj players rushed into their area before the national striker had struck the ball. Alfaz, who was replaced in the 71st minute, failed in his second effort as Ali made a diving save on the penalty to keep Rahmatganj in the game.

The rest of the match was full of attacks and counter attacks with Rahmatganj having the edge but their hard work went down the drains as Wajed Gazi's defence finally held on to the slim lead.

Rahmatganj, who play Abahani in the final round, remained seventh and confirmed the position with 21 points.

TEAMS
RUSSEL: Azam, Aminul, Hasan, Zahirul (Rakibul), Rajan, Mobarak, Marco Maric, Moujahid, Monwar, Alfaz (Morshed) and Omari.
RAHMATGANJ: Ali, Jahangir, Ashraf (Rimon), Shipon, Babu, Felix, Kabir, Hanif, Francis, Ripon (Hirok) and Idris.