It was supposed to be a tough season — and it certainly turned out to be a step down from the last.

Still, in what many consider a disappointing campaign, Bashundhara Kings managed to secure two trophies, clinching the Bashundhara Group Federation Cup title after a dramatic penalty shootout win over Dhaka Abahani at Mymensingh District Stadium.

Earlier in November, the defending Premier League and Federation Cup champions beat last season’s Federation Cup runners-up, Mohammedan Sporting Club (MSC), 3-1 in the inaugural edition of the Bangladesh 2.0 Challenge Cup — their first trophy of the season.

The season began with turbulence. Experienced campaigners Robson Robinho, Dorielton, and centre-back Boburbek Yuldashov departed, leaving key gaps in the squad. While Kings brought in players like Jonathan Fernandes, Daciel, and Juan Lescano to fill the void, results did not meet expectations.

Their campaign started in November in the AFC Challenge League in Bhutan, but it quickly turned sour. A 2-1 loss to Bhutan’s Paro FC was followed by a humiliating 4-0 defeat to India’s East Bengal. A Saad Uddin own goal against Nejmeh Sporting Club in the final match confirmed their exit — Kings returned home empty-handed from Asia.

Domestically, the league proved equally challenging. Mohammedan SC and Abahani Limited were in superb form. MSC won their first eight games, while Kings dropped crucial points early on — a gap they’ve never been able to close.

Currently, Kings sit third in the league table, 10 points behind leaders Mohammedan, with six matches left. With Mohammedan holding a four-point advantage over second-placed Abahani, they are the clear favourites to lift the title.

Local star Rakib Hossain has netted six goals for Kings so far this season, while Fernandes and Miguel Ferreira have contributed five goals each.

With the Federation Cup in hand but the league slipping away, the season feels bittersweet for the Kings — a better run in Asia could have changed the narrative.