Bashundhara Kings clinched back-to-back Challenge Cup titles after producing a powerful second-half display to defeat Mohammedan Sporting 4-1 at the Shaheed Dhirendranath Datta Stadium, Cumilla in a sunny Friday afternoon. Dorielton was the star of the day, scoring a brace, while Sunday Emmanuel returned to haunt his former club with a goal and an assist.
The game started brightly with Mohammedan looking sharper in possession. They built patiently from the backline, while Kings focused on quick counter-attacks. It was Kings, however, who struck first. After just eight minutes, Dorielton converted from the penalty spot to give his side a 1-0 lead.
Mohammedan responded strongly. Uzbekistan midfielder Muzafforov levelled the match in the 15th minute, rewarding his team’s dominance on the ball. The Black and Whites kept pressing, and for much of the first half they looked the more composed side, even as Kings tried to adjust to the poor pitch conditions. Both teams struggled to play fluent football with the heavy grass and uneven surface forcing long balls and direct play. The half ended 1-1.
The game changed after the restart. Mohammedan’s players began to tire under the extreme heat, while Mario Gomez’s Kings reorganised and came out with more urgency. Despite being reduced to ten men when Sohel Rana collected two yellow cards, the first in the 36th minute and the second in the 63rd. Kings looked the more dangerous side.
Rafael Augusto put them ahead in the 72nd minute with a stunning volley, an effort that lifted the tempo and belief of his side. Just two minutes later, Sunday Emmanuel struck against his former club, finishing off a move set up by Dorielton and celebrating passionately. His goal made it 3-1 and tilted the contest firmly in Kings’ favour.
Dorielton then sealed the win in the 86th minute, completing his brace with a finish assisted by Sunday. The celebrations were briefly interrupted after smoke flares were thrown onto the pitch, delaying the match. With additional stoppages, the game stretched to 12 minutes and 30 seconds of added time.
The poor condition of the pitch added to the drama. Grass was being cut from the sidelines during the match, something that drew criticism from players and spectators alike. Yet Kings adapted better, using wing play and long balls to bypass the surface issues, while Mohammedan faded late on.
In the end, Bashundhara Kings lifted the Challenge Cup , the Bangladeshi equivalent of a community shield for the second consecutive time, underlining their status as the most dominant side in domestic football.
