Mohammedan lead Bashundhara Kings 2–1 at half time

Mohammedan Sporting Club Limited lead Bashundhara Kings 2–1 at half time following a dramatic and controversy-filled opening 45 minutes in the Federation Cup final, with both sides trading goals, squandering penalties, and testing the woodwork in an enthralling contest at the Kings Arena on Wednesday.

Mohammedan drew first blood in the fourth minute through a Muzaffar Muzaffarov free kick, but Kings were back on level terms just five minutes later.

Midfielder Jewel Mia's foul on Rakib Hossain inside the box handed Kings a penalty — a decision that sparked fury among the Mohammedan players, who briefly walked off the pitch in protest before eventually returning after a tense two-minute standoff.

Dorielton Gomes stepped up and coolly converted from the spot to make it 1–1.

Mohammedan had the chance to regain the lead in the 22nd minute when Kings defender Tapu Barman brought down Saiful in the area.

However, goalkeeper Mehedi Hasan Srabon stood firm, producing a superb save to deny Muzaffarov's powerful spot kick.

It was 2-1 in favour of the Black and Whites in the 35th minute when Sourav Dewan found the net to put Mohammedan ahead.

Kings pushed hard for an equaliser before the break — Srabon making a crucial last-ditch stop to keep out Rahmat Mia's long-range effort in the 42nd minute, before Dorielton's header from a Rakib cross agonisingly struck the crossbar in added time.

Mohammedan will take a slender but hard-earned lead into the second half, while Kings will feel the game remains very much within their grasp.