The color of dominating performance of Bashundhara Kings in the Bangladesh Premier League is still unexposed this season as the defending champion managed to beat Rahmatganj Muslim Friends Society with a hard-fought 2-1 win at Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka Wednesday.
Daniel Colindres and Baktyiar Duishobekov netted one each in the opening half to clinch their third victory that sent the Kings jointly at the top of the table with 10 points while the Old Dhaka outfit remained in the relegation zone with a single point.
The two sides faced each other in the Federation Cup final where Kings lifted their maiden title by the same margin win but it was Rahmatganj who went close in the first minute when Anisur Rahman Zico punched away Turaev Akobir’s fine header.
Costa Rican World Cupper Colindres took the lead three minutes later slotting home into the far post from the top of the box following a cutback from Mohammad Ibrahim, the hero of the last match with two goals.
Kings' Mohammad Ibrahim shoots at goal Dhaka Tribune/Md Manik
Akobir equalized in the 39th minute, placing home on a rebound after Zico failed to grip Mahmudul Hasan Kiron’s initial effort from outside the box.
Baktyiar put the Kings ahead again before the break as the Kyrgyz midfielder dribbled past a defender after collecting Biplu Ahmed’s pass before firing at the near post.
Bashundhara couldn’t continue in the same rhythm after the break but dominated possession while Rahmatganj went all out for the equalizer relying on the counter as Zico made a brilliant save to deny Sajidur Rahman’s powerful shot in the 84th minute before Akobir’s shot on rebound was cleared by Baktyiar.
“We didn’t give them enough chances but they scored from the one we gave them. We recovered from that to get the winning goal before the break. The plan of the second half was to control the game and have more ball possession. They [Rahmatganj] only tried to play long football but our defenders looked very solid to keep the lead,” said Bashundhara coach Oscar Bruzon after the game.
RESULT
Rahmatganj 1 (Akobir 39) 2 Bashundhara (Colindres 4, Baktyiar 45)
