An early strike from Dorielton Nascimento helped Bashundhara Kings to earn a hard-fought 1-0 win against Fortis Football Club in the first Group C match of 35th ABG Bashundhara Federation Cup 2023-24 on Tuesday.
The match was held at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Mani Stadium in Gopalganj where Kings secured the Independence Cup 2023 title beating Mohammedan Sporting Club by 2-1 goals in their final match last week.
Brazilian forward Dorielton cruised past Fortis Uzbek defender Jasur Jumaev and ran with the ball to the box that was sent by defender Md Tutul Hosain Badsha with a long pass from the right flank.
Jasur made no attempt to stop the 33-year-old Brazilian who comfortably put it to the net with a right-footed grounder to the left bottom of the box in the 11th minute.
The 1-0 lead was not enough for the title contenders Kings who planned to secure domestic treble in this ongoing season, though they ultimately failed to extend the lead.
Fortis, who dreamt of a point against their might opponents before this match, also wasted several close chances to equalize the margin throughout the 90-minute.
The credit also went to Kings goalkeeper Anisur Rahman Zico who returned to the squad with the day's match after almost two-month ban as the club eased his punishment.
Police Football Club and Rahamatganj Muslim Friends Society shared points as their first match of Group A tied at 2-2 at the Shaheed Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj on this day.
Police forward Sahed Miah's 19th minute lead was ruined by Rahamatganj Ghanaian forward Samuel Mensah Konney in the 41st minute.
Police Colombian forward Edis Horacio Ibarguen Garcia again took the lead in the 68th minute but his compatriot Ernest Boateng equalized the margin for Rahamatganj in the 77th minute.
The next matches will be held on January 16 when runners-up Dhaka Abahani Ltd will take on Brothers Union Ltd at the Bashundhara Kings Arena and champions Mohammedan SC will lock horns against Chittagong Abahoni Ltd in Gopalganj in their four-team Group B.
BDST: 2105 HRS, DEC 26, 2023
MSK
