Bashundhara Kings came from behind to beat Mohammedan 2-1 at the Shaheed Dhirendranath Datta Stadium in Cumilla on 30 April, extending their lead at the top of the Bangladesh Football League to six points with the win. It was a result that further underlined Kings’ dominance this season, even if Mohammedan made them work hard for it.
It was the black-and-whites who started the brighter of the two sides, playing with energy and intent from the first whistle. An early chance in the 18th minute went begging when Sourav Dewan broke clear through Arif Hossain’s pass but rushed his shot, which struck the body of goalkeeper Anisur Rahman Zico.
Mohammedan did not have to wait long for their reward. In the 28th minute, Saiful Hossain dribbled past Bishwanath Ghosh and nudged the ball into the area. Uzbek midfielder Mozaffarov met it just above the byline and drove a bullet shot through Zico’s legs from a near-impossible angle to make it 1-0. The difficulty of the finish left Zico shaking his head in disbelief.
Stung into action, Kings began to press and were rewarded in first-half stoppage time. Rakib Hossain advanced down the right flank and cut the ball back into the box, where Faisal Ahmed Fahim arrived to place a precise right-footed finish into the net. The equaliser came at the perfect moment and visibly shifted the momentum.
Tempers had also flared moments earlier, with Kings defender Bishwanath Ghosh picking up a yellow card following a foul that sparked a brief confrontation between players of both sides in the 44th minute.
The second half was an open, competitive affair with both teams creating chances. Mohammedan’s Sourav Dewan wasted a glorious opportunity in the 67th minute, failing to get his shot on target despite having two Kings defenders to beat inside the box. Shahriar Emon also spurned a good chance for Kings, sending a shot narrowly wide of the post in the 61st minute.
It was left to Dorielton Gomes to settle the contest. In the 68th minute, Fahim drove forward down the left and delivered a cross that the Brazilian forward turned home with a deft right-footed touch. It was his 16th league goal of the season in just 13 matches, a tally that continues to make him one of the most devastating strikers in the division. In added time, Sujon Hossain produced a fine diving save to keep out another Dorielton effort from Rakib’s cutback, but the result was already beyond doubt.
Kings now have 34 points from 15 matches, six clear of second-placed Abahani, who have a game in hand. Mohammedan remain sixth with 17 points, suffering their first defeat since new coach Abdul Qayyum Sentu took charge.
In the day’s other fixture, Arambagh Krira Sangha drew 2-2 with Brothers Union at the Bir Shrestha Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj. Brothers sit seventh on 14 points from 15 matches, with Arambagh eighth on the same points but behind on goal difference.
