In the sweltering evening heat of Qatar, Bashundhara Kings fought with grit and purpose to earn their place in the AFC Challenge League group stage. A single early strike was enough to seal the victory and silence the critics.
The breakthrough came in just the sixth minute when Sunday Emmanuel’s powerful shot rippled the net. The Nigerian forward, recently signed from Mohammedan SC, wasted no time showing why the Kings brought him in. From then on, the team maintained a perfect balance between attack and defence, holding firm against mounting pressure.
This trip began under a cloud of doubt after the head coach left for an Iraqi club at the last moment, leaving the side without a permanent figure on the touchline. Many questioned whether the Kings had prepared enough. On the pitch, however, the players gave their answer. Dorielton, Sunday, and Rakib combined fluently, keeping the Kings on the front foot when it mattered.
In the 42nd minute, Rafael Augusto had the chance to double the lead but opted to square the ball to Rakib instead of taking the shot himself. In the stands, Bangladeshi fans roared in unison, a rare and electrifying sight in Qatar.
The second half saw the much-anticipated debut of Cuba Mitchell, the Sunderland U21 forward. Coming on in the 66th minute for Rafael, Mitchell injected fresh pace and energy into the attack. In the 86th minute, his corner almost led to a goal when Rakib’s header was saved brilliantly by the Al Karama goalkeeper. Moments later, Fahim’s strike narrowly missed the target.
Syrian club Al Karama enjoyed more possession and repeatedly pressed for an equaliser, but goalkeeper Srabon stood tall. He made five crucial saves, earning man-of-the-match honours. While the Kings had only 40 per cent of the ball, they managed four shots on target from ten attempts, showing remarkable efficiency.
When the final whistle blew, the stadium erupted in red and green celebrations. Against the odds, without a coach, in punishing heat, and facing a strong opponent, Bashundhara Kings delivered one of the most memorable victories in their history. They now march into the AFC Challenge League group stage as Bangladesh’s sole representative, carrying fresh dreams and renewed belief.