Kings crush Wanderers

Last year's treble winners Bashundhara Kings violently cast aside their early-season struggles, crushing Dhaka Wanderers 5-0 in a ruthless Bangladesh Federation Cup opener on Tuesday.

On a thrilling day of football, traditional powerhouses Mohammedan Sporting Club also snatched the spotlight, orchestrating a vital 3-1 comeback victory over Arambagh to ignite their own campaign.

Seeking redemption after a lacklustre league draw on 19 September, the Kings unleashed their frustration at the Shaheed Bir Shreshtha Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj.

The tournament favourites suffocated their opponents from the opening whistle. Boasting a staggering 70 percent possession, they relentlessly bombarded the Wanderers' penalty area, unleashing 16 fierce shots at goal.

The Wanderers' goalkeeper miraculously parried two vicious efforts early on, but the Kings' attacking arsenal ultimately proved overwhelming.

Midfielder Sabbir Hossain masterminded the demolition with a clinical brace. He was emphatically backed by Robson, Alamgir Molla, and Mohammad Abdullah, who all hammered home goals to complete the 5-0 rout.

Meanwhile, in a fiery Group B clash at the Gopalganj District Stadium, Mohammedan survived a monumental scare to secure all three points.

The black-and-whites stumbled early, stunned in the 16th minute by a lightning strike from Arambagh's Ghanaian maestro, Suraj Rayes.

However, Fernando Varela’s men roared back in a ferocious second half. Sourav Dewan slammed home the equaliser in the 57th minute, before Mohammad Sohel Rana seized the lead in the 74th.

Talisman Souleymane Diabate ultimately vanquished Arambagh, netting a stoppage-time dagger to cement the 3-1 triumph. It marks their second consecutive win following a gritty league victory over Fakirerpool.

Elsewhere, Police FC and City Club battled to a gruelling 1-1 stalemate in Manikganj.

The opening round results leave the Kings and Mohammedan dominating Group B with three points apiece, perfectly poised for a thrilling race to the qualifiers.