Saiftil Bari Titu's Sheikh Russel KC booked the third spot in the semifinals of the season's cur-

tain-raising Walton Federation Cup following a 1-0 victory over his former club and last season's runners-up Chittagong Abahani in the third quarterfinal at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

The champions of the 2013 edition did not play quite as well as they did in their two group matches, but managed to eke out a win within regulation time to move into the last four as the

only team with a hundred per cent record and clean sheets all throughout.

Nigerian forward

their efforts go across the face of the goal with no striker to pounce on.

Sheikh Russel broke the deadlock two minutes after restart when Sheikh Russel forward Alisher Azizov's cross came off a Chittagong Abahani defender which Odoyin turned in at the far post with a slight deflection off another Chittagong Abahani defender Mufta Lawal.

Chittagong Abahani were unlucky to lose their main attacking threat Mamdou Bah in the 71st minute through a horrific injury as the Gambian hitthesideofhis head on the ground following an aerial tussle with Sheikh Russel defender Alison Udoka, with the former being

rushed to the hospital.

Despite defending well, Chittagong Abahani failed to mount serious

Raphael Odoyin's strike

in the 46th minute proved to be the decider of the otherwise lacklustre affair, which had garnered attention for being a battle of prestige between Titu and his former assistant Zulfikar Mahmud Mintu.

Titu was sacked by Chittagong Abahani towards the end of last season due to the team's failure to land any silverware, and the charges were bestowed on Mintu.

Although Chittagong Abahani lost many of their star players in the intervening time, they did not let Sheikh Russel dominate the game entirely yesterday.

There was no goalmouth action in the first half, even though both sides saw one of

challenge as Sheikh Russel edged home comfortably in the end.

Sheikh Russel coach Titu gave credit to his opposite number for putting up a fight, but was happy to have kept a hundred per cent win record.

"It is a satisfying win. Although we could have got more goals, I'm pretty happy with the effort, especially with our defensive display as we haven't yet conceded a goal," Titu said. “Mintu is a good coach and his charges played to their full potential."

Titu's team will play the semifinals against the winners of the fourth quarterfinal, which will be played today between Bashundhara Kings and Team BJMC.