Bashundhara Kings ended their AFC Challenge League campaign on a disappointing note, suffering their third consecutive defeat in the group stage under Mario Gómez.
With qualification hopes already gone before the final match, the team aimed to at least finish on a positive note. However, that ambition was dashed almost immediately as they conceded a goal in the opening minute against Kuwait SC, followed by a second before half-time.
At the Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Stadium in Kuwait, the Kings went down 2–0 in their final Group B fixture, finishing the campaign without a single point.
Earlier, the Bangladeshi side had lost 3–2 to Al-Saib and 3–0 to Al-Ansar. When Al-Saib and Kuwait SC drew 1–1 in another group match, the Kings’ elimination was confirmed.
Kuwait SC topped the group with seven points from two wins and a draw, while Al-Ansar progressed as one of the best three runners-up with six points. Al-Saib ended the group stage with three points, leaving Bashundhara Kings as the only team without a single point.
The match got off to a disastrous start for the Kings. Kuwait SC dominated possession from the first whistle, and shortly after, Sami Al-Sanea delivered a right-wing cross that goalkeeper Anisur Rahman Zico—returning in place of Mehedi Hasan Srabon—failed to clear. Youssef Al-Sulaiman capitalised, heading the ball into the net.
In added time of the first half, Taha Khenissi doubled the lead with a deft flick following a precise passing move.
Bashundhara Kings struggled to create chances, registering only one shot on target from eight attempts. In the second half, Kuwait SC focused on maintaining possession rather than increasing their lead, successfully controlling the game until the final whistle.
