Title aspirants Sheikh Jamal DC emerged Group A champions to move into the quarterfinals of the Walton Federation Cup with a less-than-convincing single-goal win over Feni Soccer Club at the Bangabahdu National Stadium yesterday.
Star-studded Sheikh Jamal rested three of their starters from the match against Uttar Baridhara Club but still left the field with all three points thanks to a 17-minute strike from Haitian striker Sony Norde, who had also bagged a brace in their opening match.
The big-budget side dominated proceedings from the outset yet failed to impress the spectators as they failed to capitalise on the scoring chances. Striker Emeka Darlington and midfielder Femi Orunnimi hit the crossbar twice while substitute forward Shakhawat Hossain Rony floated the ball over the bar when a simple dink would have been enough to beat the keeper.
Feni Soccer's Gambian coach Omar Cisse, who was once the head coach of Sheikh Jamal Football Academy, was surprised with his opponents' meek performance while Sheikh Jamal coach Joseph Afusi admitted that his team has a lot of work to do in finishing chances.