Holders Bashundhara Kings made a winning start, while former champions Abahani Limited and Lt. Sheikh Jamal DC drew their respective matches as Bangladesh Premier League 2022-23 kicked off at three different venues Friday.
All of Kings' goals came within half-an-hour as they outplayed newcomers Azampur FC 3-0 at their home venue at Bashundhara Sports Complex in the capital.
Brazilian midfielder Robson Robinho, striker Dorielton Gomez and Rakib Hossain netted one each for the Kings.
Abahani left it late to equalize the margin as other newcomers Fortis FC held them to a 1-1 draw at Shaheed Dhirendranath Datta Stadium in Cumilla.
Luiz Garlos put Fortis ahead in the opening half before Abahani's new signing, defender Riyadul Hasan Rafi leveled the margin in the 90th minute.
In the day's most entertaining encounter, Rahmatganj MFS came from behind twice to play out a 2-2 draw with Sheikh Jamal at Sheikh Fazlul Haque Mani Stadium in Gopalganj.
Koushik Barua first gave Sheikh Jamal the lead just after the quarter hour mark, before Brazilian striker Michael Morais brought parity following the break.
Uzbekistan forward Otabek Valijonov put Sheikh Jamal ahead again two minutes later before Mohammed Munna made it all square after the hour-mark.
RESULTS
Abahani 1 (Riyadul 90) Fortis 1 (Garlos 36)
Bashundhara Kings 3 (Robson 5, Dorielton 19, Rakib 29) Azampur 0
Sheikh Jamal 2 (Koushik 17, Otabek 55) Rahmatganj 2 (Moris 53, Munna 65)