Bangladesh Police Football Club moved into the semifinals in their debut Independence Cup campaign with a 1-0 win over Sheikh Russel KC in the third quarterfinal at the Birshreshtha Shaheed Mostafa Kamal Stadium yesterday.

Afghan striker Amiruddin Sharifi's fourth-minute header decided the outcome in favour of Police, who were introduced in top-flight football in the 2019-20 season and had qualified for the semifinals of the Federation Cup the same year. Although the match lacked quality, there was no shortage of action, which started from the goal when Sharifi's glancing header on a cross from Adil Kouskous found the far corner of the net.

Both sides had two great opportunities to score soon, with Manik Mollah of Sheikh Russel failing to poke the ball home from handshaking distance on a cross from Hemonto Vincent Biswas on 23 minutes before Danilo Augusto, at the other end, heading wide of target on a cross from Kouskous three minutes later.

Mannaf Rabbi saw his sliding effort glance wide of the target on a cross from Khalekurzaman on the hour-mark as Sheikh Russel failed to draw level.

The 2013 champions had a lucky break when opposition captain Monaem Khan Raju slapped on the shoulder of Hemonto in the 41st minute to see a straight red card, but Police held on to go into the break with a slender lead.

Five minutes after the restart, Sheikh Russel earned a spot-kick out of nowhere, this time Hemonto receiving a kick to the face from Joyonto Roy just inside the box.

With a man advantage and a glorious opportunity to find the equaliser, Sheikh Russel looked like they were in business but  Ailton Machado's effort was saved by Mohammad Nehal as Police grew in confidence.

Hemonto saw his left-footed shot from the edge of the box go straight to the goalkeeper before the former national team midfielder paid for becoming too greedy.

Having earned a spot-kick and seeing an opposition player get a red card, Hemonto tried to earn another spot kick as he plunged inside the box on minimal contact from a Police defender in the 62nd minute. The referee had no hesitation in brandishing a second yellow to Hemonto as Sheikh Russel's numerical advantage was nullified.

Saiful Bari Titu's charges tried a few more attacks but failed to create any meaningful chances as they had to be eliminated from the quarterfinal stage of season's first tournament.