Two former league champions --Sheikh Russel KC and Sheikh Jamal DC--made a good start in the 15-team Independence Cup Football’ 21 beating their rivals in two opening day’s matches of the Riviera Independence Cup Football ’21 at Bir Shrestha Shahid Shipahi Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur here on Saturday.

Earlier, Education Minister Dr Dipu Moni inaugurated the meet at a simple ceremony on Saturday afternoon.

In the day’s inaugural match, Sheikh Russel KC defeated Uttar Baridhara Club by 1-0 goal.

Mannaf Rabbi scored the match-winner for Sheikh Russel KC in the 59th minute.

In the day’s other match, Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club made a flying start outplaying Bangladesh Air Force team by 3-0 goals Saturday evening.

Uzbek booter Otabek put Sheikh Jamal Dc ahead in the 16th minute (1-0), Gambian booter Solomon King doubled the margin in the 52 minute (2-0) while Shohanur sealed the fate of the match scoring the 3rd goal for Sheikh Jamal in the in the 54th minute (3-0).

On Sunday, Mohammedan SC will encounter Muktijoddha Sangsad KC at 4 pm while Saif SC will encounter Bangladesh Army at 6 pm at the same venue.

Dhaka Abahani Ltd will meet newcomers Swadhinata KS at 5:45 pm on Monday at the same venue.

A total 15 teams including 12 premier division league clubs and three services teams, split into  four groups, are initially taking part on league basis matches from November 27 to December 8.

Participating teams are:

Group A– Dhaka Abahani Limited, Rahmatganj MFS and Swadhinata KS

Group B: Sheikh Jamal DC, Sheikh Russel KC, Uttar Baridhara Club and Bangladesh Air Force.

Group C: Saif Sporting Club , Mohammedan SC, Muktijoddha Sangsad KC and Bangladesh Army.

Group D: Bashundhara Kings, Chittagong Abahani Ltd, Bangladesh Police and Bangladesh Navy  

Later, four group champions and runners-up teams, will play in the quarterfinals on December 10 and 12.  The two semifinals will be held on December 14 and the final match will be held on December 18.