Bashundhara Kings scripted a last-minute comeback to finish the stipulated time 2-2 before beating a spirited Rahmatganj side 3-2 in the tie-breaker in the last quarter-final of the Independence Cup 2018-19 season at Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka Friday.
Anisur Rahman Zico appeared as the hero of the game in the shootout, as the national custodian made three crucial saves to seal victory after super substitute Daniel Colindres starred in the second half with a goal and a late assist to earn the equaliser in the 95th minute.
The dramatic win saw the big-spending newly promoted side set up a semi-final clash with premier league champion Abahani Limited, scheduled to be held at the same venue Thursday.
Injury-struck Bashundhara struggled in the opening half after kicking off with only one foreigner as World-Cupper Colindres started on the bench and Spanish defender Jorge Gotos Blas and Marcos Vinicius remained sidelined due to injury.
Belfort guides Abahani to semis
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) December 13, 2018
A late winner by Haitian international Kervens #Belfort guided premier league champions #Abahani to the semifinals of the #IndependenceCup after edging past #Saif #Sporting #Club 1-0 in the third quarterfinal.https://t.co/bhsuqacqj8
Despite being termed as a mediocre side, the Old Dhaka outfit put up a spirited performance in the opening hour, but it turned into a different story after Colindres came off the bench to rescue the side.
Veteran striker Rokonuzzaman Kanchan also made his debut appearance this season as a substitute.
It was midfielder Jamal Hossain who gave Rahmatganj the lead in the 25th minute, capitalising from Bashundhara’s shaky defence without Gotor.
Rakibul Islam’s initial effort was blocked before Enamul Islam passed the rebound back to an unmarked Jamal, who placed the ball into the far post from the top of the box.
The appeal committee of the BFF has reduced the suspension of Bashundhara Kings duo Sushanta Tripura and Tawhidul Alam Sabuj and Abahani Limited defender Mamun Miah through a meeting at BFF House in Dhaka Wednesday.https://t.co/Z15l9iSM7t#BFF #BANGLADESH #BANGLADESHFOOTBALL
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An injured Colindres replaced defender Saddam Hossain Anny in the 57th minute to bolster Bashundhara’s attack.
The Costa Rican brought parity 10 minutes later when his right-footer from the top-left corner of the box curved home into the top-right corner.
Faysal Ahmed put Rahmatganj ahead again four minutes later.
Faysal beat his marker to collect Zunapio’s defence-splitting through pass before his clever effort from the right edge of the box curved over the keeper’s reach to hit the net.
Bashundhara piled more pressure with Colindres leading from the front.
Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra finally got the goals as they swept into the semi-final of the Walton Independence Cup 2018-19 season after beating Chittagong Abahani 2-0 in the second quarter-final at Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka Wednesday.https://t.co/TqZ60D2qkF#BFF
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) December 12, 2018
After seeing two of his efforts denied by the side-post, Colindres delivered a precise cross from the left flank that was converted by Kyrgyz midfielder Baktiyar Duishobekov with a glancing header moments before the final whistle.
Rahmatganj’s fighting display continued in the 30-minute extra time where Bashundhara’s veteran defender Nasir Uddin Chowdhury made a goal-line clearance.
Zico stole the show after the game rolled into tiebreaker by denying all the penalties taken by Rahmatganj foreigners – Zunapio, Damian Chigozie and Monday Osagie.
Bashundhara’s Emon Mahmud and Masuk Mia Jony missed their chances but Baktiyar, Nasir and Colindres converted to seal victory.
Bashundhara head coach Oscar Bruzon informed that seven of his key players couldn’t start the game due to injury, and Colindres requested to give him chance to feature after the break.
The Spanish coach hailed Zico as the “star of the night” while he also admitted that it was Colindres who made the difference.
RESULT
Bashundhara 2 (Colindres 67, Baktiyar 89) 2 Rahmatganj (Jamal 25, Faysal 71)
Bashundhara won 3-2 on penalties
