Bashundhara Kings earned a 3-1 goal victory over Muktijoddha Sangsad Krira Chakra in their fourth match of the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League 2022-23 at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Mani Stadium in Gopalganj on Friday.
Kings got an early blow when Burundian forward Selemani Landry Ndikumana put the hosts Muktijoddha ahead of Kings with an amazing flying volley from inside the box, off a long cross from Japanese midfielder Soma Otani in the 10th minute (1-0).
After eight-minute of the game, Brazilian forward Dorielton Gomes Nascimento netted the ball off a cross from the Kings’ Brazilian captain Robson Robinho but the goal was canceled due to offside. Kings continued their domination on the field and tried to equalise the margin from all of their full and half chances.
Dorielton finally succeeded to score an equaliser for the holders with a header when forward Rakib Hossain headed the ball to him from the left flank of the box off a cross from Rimon Hossain in the 35th minute (1-0). The Brazilian forward doubled the margin to seal the fate of the game from another header utilising a cross from Uzbek midfielder Asror Gofurov in the 45+1st minute (2-0).
Dorielton could score a hat-trick a few seconds before the half time, but his other goal was cancelled by the referee due to offside. With the day’s brace, Dorielton opened his account for Kings in the ongoing BPL.
Kings midfielder Matin Mia, who came in the place of midfielder Shekh Morsalin in the middle of the second half, scored the third goal for the visitors (3-1), off a pass from Robson just two-minute before the stipulated 90-minute (88th minute).
In the day’s other matches, riding on a brace by Nigerian forward Mfon Sunday Udoh, Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra clinched a 2-0 goal win over Mohammedan Sporting Club at the Bashundhara Kings Arena of the Bashundhara Sports Complex in the capital.
Mfon struck the first goal with an angular shot off a long cross from Ivorian midfielder Kpehi Jean Charles Didier Brossou in the 30th minute (1-0) while doubling the margin with a long shot from nearer the box off a pass from forward Md Ibrahim in the 90+1st minute (2-0).
Sheikh Russel coach Zulfiker Mahmud Mintu credited his players to earn the vital win over a tough opponent at their home.
“We have improved a lot, we are playing impressive football. Didier as usual played a vital role in the match and Mfon and Timur (Uzbek defenders) gave their best parts in the game. Mohammedan are a tough side, they formed a very strong team this year,” Mintu said.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club and Chattogram Abahoni shared points as their match ended in a 1-1 draw at the Bir Shrestha Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj.
After a barren first half, Ctg Abahoni’s Nigerian forward Ojukwu David Ifegwu broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute (1-0), but Sheikh Jamal’s Saint Vincentian forward Cornelius Stewart scored the equaliser by converting a penalty in the 76th minute.
After the day’s matches, the Kings consolidated the top slot of the 11-team points table with 12 points from four wins while Sheikh Jamal climbed up to the second spot with eight points from two wins and two draws and Sheikh Russel climbed up to the fourth spot with six points from two wins and one defeat.
Mohammedan slipped to the fifth with their previous credit of five points from one win and three defeats while Ctg Abahoni remained in the eighth spot with two points from two draws and one defeat and Muktijoddha slipped at the bottom 11th spot as they are yet to open their account after conceding four consecutive defeats.
On Saturday, Dhaka Abahani will play against Bangladesh Police Football Club at the Rafiq Uddin Bhuiyan Stadium in Mymensingh while Rahamatganj Muslim Friends Society will meet Azampur Football Club Uttara in Munshiganj, both at 02:45pm (BST).
BDST: 1935 HRS, JAN 06, 2023
MSK
