Brazil’s Sao Bernardo FC made a dominant entrance into the AFB Latin Bangla Super Cup, brushing aside Red and Green Future Stars with a commanding 4-0 victory at the Dhaka National Stadium on Friday. The Brazilian side turned the opening match into a football carnival, displaying rhythm, speed and precision that kept the crowd on their feet throughout the winter evening.
The match began with end-to-end exchanges as both teams pushed aggressively for early control. The home side created the first clear chance in the 5th minute from a rebound off a free kick, but the shot sailed wide. Bangladesh goalkeeper Alif Rahman then produced two crucial saves in the 7th and 9th minutes to deny São Bernardo’s early pressure, diving sharply to his right to keep the match level.
In the 19th minute Sao Bernardo missed a scoring chance when a header from a corner rose over the bar. Alif once again came to Bangladesh’s rescue in the 25th minute with another close-range stop. The resistance finally broke in the 29th minute. Gustavo split the defence with a driving run into the box and set up Murio, who calmly placed the ball into the net to give the visitors a deserved 1-0 lead.
Bangladesh nearly responded immediately. In the 31st minute Manik found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper but delayed his finish, wasting the hosts’ best chance of the half. Sao Bernardo punished the miss almost instantly, doubling their lead in the 33rd minute.
Bangladesh’s young midfielder Bitshok Chakma produced a moment of brilliance just before the break, weaving past three Brazilian defenders before unleashing a powerful strike. The São Bernardo goalkeeper denied him with a full-stretch save. The Brazilians went into half-time ahead 2–0.
Sao Bernardo emerged even more assertive in the second half. Within minutes of the restart Kasper Hok fouled inside the box, earning a penalty. Viana converted confidently in the 51st minute to extend the lead to 3-0.
The fourth goal arrived in the 65th minute. Vithinho burst down the right flank, gliding past defenders before slipping the ball into the far corner to make it 4-0.
Bangladesh created opportunities late in the match. Bitshok’s header in the 74th minute went over the bar, while Rifat Kazi struck the post in the 83rd minute. Despite their efforts, the home side could not find a consolation goal.
Sao Bernardo left the field with a comprehensive victory that sets a strong tone for the tournament. Before kick-off, the organisers unveiled the official Latin Bangla Super Cup trophy, presented by AF Boxing Promotion International’s Managing Director Md Asaduzzaman.
