Russel's Moroccan striker Younnes converted the spot kick two minutes into the time added on after he had been fouled inside the area.

Despite the unplayable water-drenched pitch the Dhaka club, who finished surprise runners up in last season's Premier League, showed their superiority in all departments on their NFL debut. But they had to wait for the goal mainly because of some splendid goalkeeping by the Bagerhat team's captain Piaruzza-man Piru.

Piru was later adjudged man-of the match.

Younnes was instrumental in most of the attacks by Russel. He almost put his side ahead in the 44th minute but defender Ashraful chested away the goal-bound left-footer.

Piru fisted away a Kamal free kick ten minutes after the breather and then frustrated Younnes in the 69th minute with a diving save.

Unmochan Club's only clear chance came in the 63rd minute but Russel's custodian Appel thwarted a powerful right-footer from Nigerian striker Moses.

TEAMS
SHEIKH RUSSEL (from): Appel, Biplob, Narayan, Burdeep Mohammed, Kamal Hossain, Minto, Asif Yusuf, Asadaur Rahman, Maruf Ahmed, Younnes, Azam, Jamal Uddin, Miksudul Alam, Nurul Islam , Tofazzol, Apu, Sharif,

UNMOCHAN CLUB (from): Piru, Biplob Ghosh, Ashraful Karim, Nafiur Rahman, Hafizur Rahman, Emrul, Kollol Ghosh, Mithu, Moses, Liton, Khaled, Nazmal Hasan, Mohsin, Mamunur Rashid, Benoj Krishna and Ruman.

Referee: Mansoor Azad.