Five-time champions Bashundhara Kings and domestic rivals Mohammedan SC kicked off their Federation Cup Group B campaigns with victories on Tuesday, rebounding from sluggish starts in the Bangladesh Football League.
At the Shaheed Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj, Bashundhara Kings crushed Dhaka Wanderers 5-0. Kings dominated 70 per cent of possession and registered 16 shots, putting seven on target. Central midfielder Md Sabbir Hossen scored twice, while Robinho, Alamgir Molla, and Md Abdullah netted one goal each to complete the rout.
“We got this big win because our coach had a brilliant plan and we executed it really well,” Sabbir said after his two-goal display. “We have arrived in the Federation Cup to win it as always.”
At the District Stadium of Gopalganj, Mohammedan SC came from behind to defeat Arambagh KS 3-1. Ghanaian midfielder Suraj Rayies gave Arambagh a 16th-minute lead against the run of play. Mohammedan responded after the interval, as Sourav Dewan equalised in the 57th minute before Md Sohel Rana put the Black and Whites ahead in the 74th minute. Mali forward Souleymane Diabate scored in stoppage time to secure all three points.
“It was very unfortunate that we conceded a goal and missed a penalty in the first half,” Mohammedan goalkeeper Anisur Rahman Zico said. “Then our coach tweaked the tactics and we made a comeback.”
In Tuesday’s third Group B fixture, Bangladesh Police FC played out a 1-1 draw against City Club at the Shaheed Miraj–Tapan Stadium in Manikganj. The results leave Bashundhara Kings and Mohammedan SC level on three points at the top of Group B, with Kings taking prime position on goal difference.
