Country's top choice goalkeeper Anisur Rahman put up a heroic display to save two penalties in the shootout as Bashundhara Kings emerged champions of the Independence Cup 2022 after beating Sheikh Russel Krira Chakra in Monday's final in Cumilla.
All goals from the opening half saw 120 minutes of the game end 2-2 before Zico dived to his left on both occasions to deny two penalties in the tiebreaker that Kings, who converted all their chances, won 4-1.
Earlier, it took the Premier League champions less than a minute to open the scoring when Brazilian midfielder Miguel Ferreira snatched the ball away from a last-standing defender, Yeasin Khan, outside the box before placing past the goalkeeper Ashraful Islam Rana at near post.
Russel responded quickly and equalized the margin when Nigerian forward Mfon Udoh's glancing header on a cross swept past a full-stretched Zico.
Ivory Coast midfielder Charles Didier gave Zulfiker Mahmud Mintu's side the lead soon after half-hour mark, firing into top left corner to convert a penalty earned by Sunday after he was pulled down by Saad Uddin inside the box.
Oscar Bruzon's charges made it all square just before half-time as Brazilian playmaker Robson Robinho scored from a penalty after Miguera, while penetrating into the right side, was fouled by Yeasin with a sliding tackle.
Robindo took his goal tally to six in as many matches to tie with Udoh as the second highest scorer of the tournament, while his Brazilian teammate Dorielton Gomez stayed at the top with nine goals.
No side availed their chances in the rest of the game before the spotlight turned to two national goalkeepers, first-choice Zico and former No 1 Rana.
Zico stole the show as he picked the right side to stop Russel's first attempt in the shootout, taken by midfielder Sohel Rana.
He then denied defender Khalekuzzaman by similar fashion on the third effort of the opponents, before taking the ball to his own feet and subsequently convert his side's fourth penalty that decided the winners.
There were many times Zico became the hero for his side for saving penalties and the latest heroics came as no surprise.
It was Kings' second Independence Cup title after they lifted the previous one in 2019 beating the same opponents.
They finished runners-up in the last edition won by Abahani Limited, who, this time, concluded their campaign with a third placed finish after outplaying Police FC 4-1 in Munshiganj Sunday.
RESULTS
Final
Sheikh Russel 2 (1) (Mfon 12, Didier 32) Bashundhara Kings 2 (4) (Miguel 1, Robson 45)
Third-place decider
Abahani 4 (Daniel 4, Yousef 39, Emon 76, Getterson 85) Police FC 1 (Rasel 43)
