Bashundhara Kings rounded off a dominant season with a 4-1 victory over relegated Fakirerpool Young Men’s Club at the Bashundhara Kings Arena on Saturday, completing a domestic treble that included the Bangladesh Football League title, the Federation Cup and the Challenge Cup. The win allowed Kings and their supporters to savour the official trophy celebrations that had been delayed since they clinched the league the previous week.
The day’s other significant story unfolded in the battle for second place. Abahani Limited secured the runners-up spot with a comfortable 3-0 win over Arambagh Krira Sangha in Manikganj, while Fortis FC squandered their chance by coming from two goals down only to draw 2-2 with PWD Sports Club in Gazipur. The three-point swing settled the matter without the need for goal difference calculations.
Kings were briefly made to work for their final-day victory. Fakirerpool took a surprise lead in the 28th minute when Ben Ibrahim latched onto a brilliant pass from Mohammad Mostafa Kaharaba and beat goalkeeper Anisur Rahman Zico with a clever body feint before finishing into an empty net. The lead lasted only eight minutes. Dorielton Gomes Nascimento, who has been the standout player of the season, headed home from a Sohel Rana free-kick in the 36th minute for his 19th goal of the campaign.
Mojibur Rahman Jony then put Kings ahead in the 39th minute with a composed left-footed finish from inside the box, celebrating with such abandon that he removed his shirt, prompting a playful exchange with Dorielton that brought a smile to the home crowd. A third goal arrived in the 62nd minute, credited to Shahriar Emon after the ball deflected off him following a Dorielton effort, before Dorielton himself completed the scoring in the 74th minute with an easy finish from Rakib’s assist to make it 4-1.
In another fixture, Mohammedan Sporting Club ended their season in fine style, thrashing Brothers Union 5-0 in Cumilla. Sourav Dewan scored four of the five goals in a dominant display, though the result could not prevent Mohammedan from finishing fifth in the final standings, a considerable step down from their title-winning campaign last season. The remaining two matches produced draws, Fortis and PWD sharing a 2-2 result and Rahmatganj and Police finishing goalless.
The final standings confirmed Bashundhara Kings as champions with 41 points from 18 matches. Abahani finished second on 37 points, marking their second consecutive runners-up finish and their fourth in the last five seasons. Fortis ended third on 35 points. The two relegations were confirmed as Fakirerpool, who finished with 10 points, and Arambagh, who collected 14, both drop out of the top flight.
