Kings start season with supremacy

Reigning champions Bashundhara Kings kicked off the domestic season with a comfortable 3-0 win over Rahmatganj MFS in the inaugural game of Federation Cup 2020 at the Bangabandhu National Stadium Tuesday.

New signings, Argentine striker Raul Beccera and Brazilian midfielder Robson Robinho, scored one each followed by an own-goal to sum up the opening fixture of 2020-21 season.

The holders began the game brightly in terms of creating chances but could not avail from at least three of them within quarter-hour mark while dominating possession throughout the game.

Raul started as center forward where former Costa Rican international Daniel Colindres played last edition. His first attempt on goal in the second minute deflected wide off the post. He had consecutive attempts saved from close range few minutes later.

The Argentine rectified his mistakes two minutes before the first-half by heading home from a free-kick of Fernandes giving no chance to Rahmatganj captain and keeper Rasel Mahmud Liton despite the latter stretching to his right.

Bashundhara looked more organized in attack after the break. Rahmatganj’s tight defence couldn’t deal well and made blunders for the two goals.

Robson, later adjudged the best player of the match, was the key distributor in the attacking midfield. He misfired his opportunity earlier before he doubled the lead nine minutes into second half.

The Brazilian possessed a miss-placed pass from Rahmatganj defender Mahmudul Hasan Kiron before chipping over the keeper from outside the box.

Old Dhaka outfits had only one foreigner available to start the game and rather than adding benefitting his side, the Egyptian defender Alaaeldin Eissa was responsible for the third goal. Eissa headed into his own net following substitute Emon Babu’s shot in front of goal line.

Earlier Masuk Miah Jonny started in defensive midfield after having been ruled out for long time due to ACL surgery. Matin Mia also returned after recovering from injury on the right wing. Both were replaced by Emon and Biplu Ahmed before half-hour mark.

National defender Topu Barman couldn’t recover to get into the squad as Yeasin Khan and Iranian signing Khaled Shafiei partnered in centerback with Bishwanath Ghosh and Rimon Hossain on two sides down to Matin and Ibrahim on the wing.

Kings almost secured the quarterfinal spot from Group C where they will play their last match against Chattogram Abahani Monday next week. Head coach Oscar Bruzon was content but expected better show in the upcoming fixtures.

“I’m quite satisfied but it’s not the best game that we can play. Anyway, result is important. It’s a win, qualification for the final stage almost. Let’s keep growing from that game,” said the Spanish tactician.

Rahmatganj coach Syed Golam Jilani was not happy with last two goals. He said, “All players tried their best but unfortunately we received two bad goals.  I think the boys performed well despite lack of preparation and without full foreign force.”

It was the first domestic fixture since the Bangladesh Premier League 2019-20 was suspended in middle of March due to Covid-19 pandemic.

Saif Sporting Club will face Uttar Baridhara while Arambagh Krira Sangha and Brothers Union take on each other in the other game of Wednesday’s fixtures.