Kings stay perfect as Mohammedan falter

Bashundhara Kings took firm control of Federation Cup Group B with an assured 2-0 victory over City Club on Tuesday, maintaining their perfect start to the tournament on an eventful afternoon across three venues.

The Kings dictated the tempo from the opening whistle at the Shaheed Miraj-Tapan Stadium in Manikganj, using a dominant first-half display to seal their second straight win and move clear at the top of the group with maximum points.

The breakthrough came after 17 minutes of heavy pressure. Brazilian forward Robson was tripped inside the box by City Club’s Gambian defender Foday Darboe, leaving referee Alamgir Sarker with no choice but to point to the penalty spot. Robinho Azevedo DA Silva stepped up and coolly dispatched the spot-kick to put Kings ahead.

The decision provoked furious protests from the City Club dugout, ending with referee Sarker showing a straight red card to goalkeeping coach Nuruzzaman Noyon.

Kings doubled their advantage five minutes before half-time. Winger Rakib Hossain burst into the box from the right and fired a stinging low drive. City Club goalkeeper Ishak Akand parried the initial strike, but Nigerian striker Emeka Ogbugh reacted fastest to head home the rebound. Kings took their foot off the gas after the interval, managing possession comfortably to see out the 2-0 result and take their tally to six points from two outings.

While Kings enjoyed smooth sailing, traditional giants Mohammedan Sporting Club dropped vital points in Munshiganj, held to a 1-1 draw by a spirited PWD Sports Club.

After a tight, goalless first half at the Bir Shrestha Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium, Mohammedan broke the deadlock just past the hour mark. Malian striker Souleymane Diabate slotted home with a neat first-time finish after latching onto a pinpoint cross from Foysal Ahmed Fahim in the 61st minute.

However, PWD produced a moment of individual magic to pull level in the 72nd minute. Cameroonian forward Yohan Mbida brought down Zubair Ahmed’s cross on his chest and sent a stunning bicycle kick into the net, giving diving goalkeeper Sujan Hossain no chance. The draw leaves Mohammedan second in the standings with four points from two games.

The most dramatic action of the day arrived in Gopalganj, where Dhaka Wanderers Club and Arambagh Krira Sangha shared the spoils in an astonishing 2-2 draw that featured three goals inside the final six minutes.

Wanderers captain Angus John Bailey had given his side an early lead with a 12th-minute penalty, a margin they defended stubbornly until the contest exploded late on. Arambagh captain Mohammad Rocky levelled the scores with an 84th-minute penalty, only for Nepali midfielder Yubaraj Dhakal to restore Wanderers' lead just two minutes later.

Arambagh refused to give in, and Samin Yasar popped up in the 88th minute to poke home an equalizer, concluding a breathless finish that left both sides sharing a point apiece.