Smarting from their 1-0 reverse against Arambagh last week, Russel rode on their Moroccan recruits to snatch full points from the on paper formidable all-Reds.

Ighir Mohamed and Touati Youness struck in the first half with strikes that finally separated the teams as Muktijoddha only managed to grab themselves a consolation via an effort by the ageing Matiur Munna in the second half.

With the outcome Russel improved their tally to 18 points to share the top slot with Muktijoddha, who finished the first-leg campaign remaining at same 18 points from ten games, although they have played one match less than their opponents.

Russel will play their last first-leg match against Dhaka Abahani.

Moroccan midfielder Ighir drew first blood to put Russel ahead in the 30th minute when he dodged past mercurial defender Rajani after receiving the ball from a chip from his compatriot Bourdif Mohamed to beat the onrushing Mukti custodian Titumir Chowdhury, who dived right but couldn't clutch the bouncing ball.

Russel took full control of the match before the breather as the lanky Moroccan striker Youness headed in Ighir cross from around the penalty spot, although his effort took some help to find the back of the net, bouncing first off the bar and then striking the unfortunate Titumir on the back before trickling in to double Russel's advantage.

Muktijoddha regrouped in the second session to raid the opponents territory and veteran midfielder Matiur Munna pulled one back with a stunning right footer from the left side of the D-box fed by skipper Moni (2-1) in the 69th minute.

But before that Moroccan Brahim Buzziber was close to reducing the margin in the early minutes of the second half but his header from left-back Titoo's cross just flew over the crosspiece.

In the 74th minute Brahim's long-range shot beat Russel goalkeeper Shakil but defender Aminul salvaged the party with a goalline save by a header.

With just three minutes left before the final whistle Muktijoddha SKC got their last chance to restore parity but Munna from a vintage position failed to connect with a left-flank long throw from substitute forward Enamul Huq.

Yellow cards - Saad, Rikta, Mishu (Russel), Ghansa (Muktijoddha).

TEAMS
RUSSEL: Shakil, Hasan, Bourdif, Mishu, Prodeep, Aminul, Saad, Ighir, Tanveer (Kaiser), Nayan (Rikta) and Youness.

MUKTIJODDHA: Titumir, Rajani, Hasan, Ghansa, Titu, Brahim, Arman (Maruf), Munna, Arman Aziz, Alfaz (Enamul) and Moni (Kanchan).

Referee: Mansoor Azad.