Sports Reporter :Reigning champions Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club Limited will face Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra Limited today in the first semi-final of the Federation Cup at the Bangabandhu National Stadium. The match kicks-off at 5.15 pm.Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club emerged the champions of the Group A with maximum six points from two matches. Later, Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club reached the semi-finals when they edged past Brothers Union Limited by 5-4 goals in the tie-breaker of the first quarter-final on February 24 at the same venue.On the other hand, Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra Limited and Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad Krira Chakra bagged four points from their respective Group B matches. By virtue of better goal difference Sheikh Russel Krira became the Group B champions. Later, Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra moved into the semi-final when they defeated Chittagong Abahani Limited by two goals to nil in the third quarter-final match at the same venue on February 26.Regarding the first semifinal, a press conference was held at the conference room of Bangladesh Football Federation House on Saturday.Coach of Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club Maruful Haque said, “I hope that all players of my side will give cent percent effort in the semi-final and reached the final after beating Sheikh Russel in the semi-final.”Captain of Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club Nasir said, “We are the defending champions. We also want to be the champions in this year.”Manager of Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra Limited Jewel Rana said, “Our target is to become the champions in this football meet. Tomorrow’s match is our final match. We have a good preparation. We have some injury problems. Hemanta, Jamal, Zahid and Rezaul can not play in tomorrow’s match due to injury. We have to play with our strength and we shall try to win by showing a better brand of football.”
