Bashundhara Kings came from behind twice to play out a 2-2 draw against I-League champions Mohun Bagan in the crucial AFC Cup group fixture in Bhubaneswar’s Kalinga Stadium in Odisha, India Tuesday night.
The match was initially scheduled to be held at Mohun Bagan’s home ground at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata but later got shifted due to Durga Puja celebration across the city.
The draw saw the Bangladesh champions move to second in Group D with four points, three less than group leaders Mohun Bagan.
Both have played three matches each.
There was major doubt whether the Kings could play the away tie due to visa complicacies which saw Oscar Bruzon’s side kick off the game with very little preparation at the match venue.
Australian forward Dimitri Petratos put Bagan ahead in the 29th minute before Brazilian striker Dorielton Gomez leveled the margin four minutes later with a neat finish after collecting a defence splitting through pass from Robson Robinho.
Both Robson and Dorielton were denied by the woodwork in the 35th and 48th minute respectively before Asish Rai put the hosts ahead again nine minutes after the break.
Rakib Hossain and Dorielton saw their efforts go straight to the Bagan goalkeeper Vishal Kaith in the next few minutes.
Robson earned a penalty after being fouled by Asish inside the danger zone and the Brazilian playmaker made no mistake from the spot to restore the parity.
The Kings started without their first choice keeper Anisur Rahman Zico due to suspension as young custodian Mehedi Hasan Srabon took the responsibility between the sticks.
The Kings will host Bagan in their next group encounter on November 7.
RESULT
Mohun Bagan 2 (Petratos 29, Rai 54) Bashundhara Kings 2 (Dori 33, Robinho 70-P)