Sheikh Russel and national striker Alfaz Ahmed (2nd from left) heads the ball wide off the mark during his side's Citycell Super Cup Plate semifinal against Chittagong Abahani at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday. The veteran marksman scored one in the regulation time of the match that ended in a 1-1 draw and then stepped up to strike his second in the shootout that Russel won 5-3. Photo: STAR

In a match full of missed opportunities Sheikh Russel managed a 5-3 penalty shootout victory against Chittagong Abahani to move into the Citycell Super Cup plate stage final at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
The new powerhouse of the country's football, who were eliminated from Group A to play the consolation plate group, will face the winner of today's second semifinal between Rahmatganj and Farashganj in the final at the same venue.
Midfielder Emon was the villain for Chittagong Abahani as he blasted his effort wide off the mark. Russel's Serbian forward Vukadin Milunovic then stroked home his spot-kick to bring joy for the locals.
In front of a sparse crowd in the big bowl the match rolled into the penalty shoot out stage after the scores were tied at 1-1 after extra time.
Russel had led for most of the match but a late defensive blunder from their Moroccan recruit Rachid Ennoury allowed Liberian Joshep Romeo to level the score with eight minutes remaining.
Earlier seasoned striker Alfaz Ahmed had broke the deadlock in the eighth minute of the second half when he produced a side volley in an open net on a low cross from Serbian Milunovic.
The veteran forward Alfaz was near to breaking the stalemate again but his fierce long-range left-footer struck the post in the dying moments of regulation time.
Both the sides missed a number of scoring opportunities in the match and Russel failed to use their favourite-tag rather Chittagong Abahani kept constant pressure on their opponents.
The port-city Abahani created the first chance in the tenth minute but Liberian Joshep Fullo was unfortunate as his header on Emon's corner deflected from the side bar.
In the 30th minute Alfaz failed to score in a one-on-one situation after receiving the ball from a Rajan Miah cross and then he set up a chance after two minutes for Milunovic who headed over the crosspiece.
But it was frustrating for Chittagong Abahani not to take the lead in the match and their Liberian recruit Romeo was the culprit -- spoiling two open net chances within the last five minutes before the breather.
In the second half the match gathered pace and Chittagong Abahani dominated the proceedings but Alfaz stunned them by putting Russel ahead in the 53rd minute. Emon had a chance to score the equaliser in the 61st minute but he screwed wide from a handshaking distance.
In the shootout Mahmudul Hasan, Rachid Brigeme, Bulbul and Alfaz netted for Russel aside from Milunovic. For Abahani, Sayedul Haque, Othelo and Tommy all hit the back of the net before Emon's miss.
Yellow Cards: Saidul, Banei and Romeo (Chittagong Abahani), Aminul and Nurul Islam (Russel).
TEAMS
SHEIKH RUSSEL: Niloy (Titoo), Hassan, Sohel, Aminul Islam, Brigeme, Ennoury, Monwar, Nurul Islam, Mobarak, Alfaz and Milunovic.
CHITTAGONG ABAHANI: Tuhin, Saidul, Mintu, Emon, Banei, Fullo, Rony (Shariful), Ismail, Jahangir, Romeo and Tucrkile.
Referee: Tayeb Hasan