Sheikh Russel fly, Abahani stumble

Winger Zahid Hossain (L) scored one goal in Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra's 2-0 win over Feni Soccer Club on the opening day of the Grameenphone Super Cup at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday. PHOTO: STAR

Sheikh Russel KC's bid for a historic quadruple started in style as they outplayed Feni Soccer Club 2-0 while defending champions Abahani stumbled to a 0-0 draw against Muktijoddha Sangsad KC on the opening day of the Grameenphone Super Cup at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
Abahani, the champions of the second edition and the runners-up of the first, came unstuck against a dogged Muktijoddha side who have thrashed them once already in the Premier League this season. So going by the record books, it might be one point won by Abahani, but they should have come out with three full points, given the number of chances they created. Abahani had a goal disallowed in the first half due to offside. Other than that their attempts were undone by the Muktijoddha keeper Ziaur Rahman. Abahani missed the services of their prolific striker Shakhawat Hossain Rony due to a groin injury, while national discard Enamul Haque, who took Rony's place failed to justify his inclusion.
The attention was though firmly focused on the day's first match where Sheikh Russel took on Feni SC. Unlike the Abahani strikers, the Sheikh Russel's forwards were very incisive and penetrative and justified the football governing body's decision to keep this tournament an all-local affair, to give the chance to local players showcase their skills.
The absence of Sony Norde and Tareq El Janabi, who had a great role in Sheikh Russel's treble triumph, was hardly felt as the local ones stepped in. National striker Zahid Hasan Emily and winger Zahid Hossain performed tremendously which must have impressed the national coach Lodewijk de Kruif and his deputy Rene Koster, who were keeping a close eye on the proceedings as well as some 4000 spectators who turned out on the holiday afternoon.
Sheikh Russel put tremendous pressure on Feni Soccer backline right from the word go, having beaten them in all the three meeting earlier in the season. The favourites yielded a good number of scoring chances, but all of them were thwarted by Feni Soccer goalkeeper Masud Rana.
After the barren first half, a bit of luck unlocked the Feni Soccer goal in the 49th minute. Left-back Nahidul Islam drove an innocuous looking low drive from outside the box which took a deflection off Feni Soccer defender Shimul before going at the back of the net. The referee though credited Nahid with the goal.
Striker Emily, who came into the match with the memory of the death of his newborn child recently, paired up with Anwar Hossain, playing in place of Sony and the national striker rattled upright early in the second half before speedy winger Zahid Hossain doubled the margin with a 25-yard attempt in the 75th minute.