Abahani began the new year on a high note in the Bangladesh Football League (BFL), securing a commanding 3-0 victory, while Bashundhara Kings suffered a setback, drawing 3-3 against Fakirerpool Youngmens Club.
At the Shaheed Miraj-Tapan Stadium in Manikganj, Bashundhara Kings initially dominated, scoring three goals within the first 30 minutes. Saduddin opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, followed by Dorielton Gomes Nascimento’s brace in the 25th and 29th minutes. Fakirerpool staged a late comeback in the second half, with Zahid Hossain reducing the deficit in the 77th minute, Irfan Hossain equalising in the 84th, and Ben Ibrahim netting in stoppage time to secure a point.
Meanwhile, at the Shaheed Dhirendranath Dutta Stadium in Comilla, Abahani faced no resistance from Arambagh Krira Sangha. Suleman Diabate scored in the 9th and 60th minutes, while Bruno Matos added another in the 40th minute, sealing a 3-0 win for Abahani and a strong start to their BFL campaign.
Fortis FC also kicked off 2026 positively, defeating PWDC 2-0 at the Bashundhara Kings Arena. Omar Babu struck near the end of the first half, with Okafor adding a stoppage-time goal to secure victory. Rahmatganj Muslim Friends & Society, however, shared points with Police FC in a 1-1 draw at Shaheed Burkat Stadium in Gazipur. Solomon King put Rahmatganj ahead from a 16th-minute spot-kick, but Paulo Henrique equalised just before half-time. Despite playing over an hour with ten men after Amirul Islam’s 17th-minute red card, Police managed to secure a valuable point.
After the first phase of the BFL, Bashundhara Kings and Fortis both have 18 points, with Kings leading on goal difference. Rahmatganj sit third with 15 points, Police fourth with 14, and Abahani fifth with 13 points. The results set the stage for an exciting second phase of the BFL.
