Bashundhara Kings kicked off the 2024-25 domestic football season with a 3-1 victory over Mohammedan Sporting Club in the curtain-raising match at the Bashundhara Kings Arena on Friday (Nov 22).

The match, part of the Bangladesh 2.0 Challenge Cup 2024-25, Powered by Bashundhara Group, saw Mohammedan take an early lead in the 7th minute. Malian forward and captain Souleymane Diabate headed in a cross from Nigerian teammate Sunday Chukwuemeka Emmanuel to put Mohammedan ahead.

The Kings found their rhythm in the second half, in the 66th minute. Defender Tapu Barman, left unmarked, scored with a header from a corner delivered by Brazilian captain and midfielder Miguel Figueira.

Building on the momentum, Foysal Ahmed Fahim gave the Kings the lead in the 81st minute. Miguel sent in another precise cross, which Fahim converted with a spectacular acrobatic volley.

Miguel capped off an impressive performance by sealing the victory in stoppage time, scoring with a low left-footed shot in the 90+5th minute. Alongside his goal, Miguel's two assists made him the standout player of the match.

The Kings began the season with renewed hopes after a tough campaign in the AFC Challenge League (ACL) 2024-25, where they suffered defeats against Nejmeh SC (Lebanon), East Bengal FC (India), and Paro FC (Bhutan).

As last season's Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) and Federation Cup champions, the Kings hosted Mohammedan, the Federation Cup 2022-23 champions, in a single-leg encounter.

The game was dedicated to honoring the martyrs of the July-August movement, which brought an end to the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government.

BDST: 2011 HRS, NOV 22, 2024
MSK