Reigning champions Bashundhara Kings start their mission with a 1-0 goal victory over Bangladesh Navy in the season's curtain-raising meet, the Independence Cup Football 2023 at their home ground—the floodlight Bashundhara Kings Arena in Dhaka on Saturday evening.

Brazilian midfielder Miguel Figueira Damasceno scored the lone goal with a volley off a cross from compatriot forward Robson Robinho in the 3rd minute. 

Since then, Kings’ star-studded forward line created a lot of close chances but failed to extend their margin. 

In the day’s other match of Group C, the Federation Cup champions Mohammedan Sporting Club clinched a hard-fought 2-2 goals draw against the Bangladesh Games champions Bangladesh Army at the same venue. 

Forward Emtiyaz Raihan handed over an early lead to Army in the 9th minute (1-0) but midfielder Arif Hossain leveled the margin for Mohammedan in the 20th minute (1-1).

After four minutes, another forward Ranju Sikder again gave a lead to Army (2-1), but forward Jafar Iqbal saved Mohammedan with a late equalizer in the 67th minute (2-2). 

BDST: 0735 HRS, OCT 29, 2023
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