League champions Bashundhara Kings recovered from a goal down to secure a 2-1 goals victory over Federation Cup winners Mohammedan Sporting Club during their 18th match of the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League 2022-23 under the floodlights of the Bashundhara Kings Arena on Friday.
Sunday Chukwuemeka Emmanuel gave Mohammedan the lead only in the second minute of the game but Miguel Figueira Damasceno and Rakib Hossain netted one goal each in the same half to confirm Kings’ victory.
The match was significant for Kings as its home venue hosted the first official match under floodlights after the installation was completed last month. The Bashundhara Sports Complex authority arranged fireworks to mark this day after the match.
“We feel proud that the Kings Arena has Category A and HD quality floodlights. We certainly try to host more matches under the floodlights from the next season,” Bashundhara Kings President Imrul Hassan said.
Kings came into the match after confirming their league title for the fourth successive time last week and they were looking to take revenge over Mohammedan, who knocked them out of the Federation Cup and went on the win the final against arch-rivals Dhaka Abahani Limited.
Both teams appeared on the field leaving behind their best players on the bench due to card issues. Kings’ Brazilian forward Dorielton Gomes and Mohammedan Malian captain Souleymane Diabate were among them.
Despite the absence of their key player Diabate, Mohammedan struck the first goal in the match.
Nigerian forward Emmanuel scored with an angular shot to the far post off a long cross from Brazilian defender Roger Duarte de Oliveira in the second minute.
But Kings’ Brazilian midfielder Miguel equalised the margin after eight minutes while forward Rakib gave them the lead and confirmed the fate of the match in the 40th minute. Youngster Shekh Morsalin assisted on both occasions.
The touring side received a big blow when their Uzbek midfielder Muzaffar Muzaffarov conceded a straight red card nine minutes before the final whistle. The scoreline remained unchanged for the rest of the match.
Earlier on the day, Kings’ captain Robson Robinho greeted Mohammedan’s interim skipper Ahsan Habib Bipu with a bouquet for winning the Federation Cup.
Meanwhile, in the day’s other matches, Dhaka Abahani beat Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club by 3-0 goals at the Shaheed Dhirendranath Datta Stadium in Cumilla while Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra were held to a 1-1 draw by Azampur Football Club Uttara at the Rafiq Uddin Bhuiyan Stadium in Mymensingh.
In Cumilla, Abahani’s Eleta Kingsley, Nigerian forward Emeka Ogbugh and Costa Rican forward Daniel Colindres scored a goal each.
In Mymensingh, Azampur’s Colombian forward Richard Hurtado gave his side the lead but Sheikh Russel’s Ivorian midfielder Kpehi Jean Charles Didier scored an equaliser before halftime of the game.
Meanwhile, in today’s matches, Rahamatganj will face Bangladesh Police FC in Munshiganj while Fortis FC will take on Chittagong Abahoni Limited in Rajshahi.
BDST: 0116 HRS, JUNE 3, 2023
MSK
