Bashundhara Kings retained the title of the Federation Cup after beating 12-time champions Abahani Limited 5-3 on penalties in the final that resumed seven days later at the Mymensingh District Stadium on Tuesday.听
The delayed final resumed from where it had left off, but neither side could break the deadlock in the second half of the extra-time, forcing the game into penalties.
Kings goalkeeper Mehedi Hasan Shrabon emerged as the hero, saving one spot-kick to hand his team its fourth Federation Cup title. Kings鈥� other three titles came in 2019, 2020 and 2024.
Kings were perfect from the spot, converting all five of their penalties, but Abahani's Nigerian forward Emeka Ogbugh missed his kick to give Kings the title after the match ended 1-1.听
This was Kings' first win over Abahani in three attempts this season, following defeats in the Federation Cup Qualifier-1 match and in the Bangladesh Premier League.
It was also the Kings鈥� second trophy of the season as they started this year鈥檚 campaign with the Challenge Cup title.
Kings defender Topu Barman was adjudged as the most valuable player of the 10-team tournament, while Abahani鈥檚 Mitul Marma was adjudged as the goalkeeper of the tournament.
Seven players 鈥� Topu (Kings), Arif Hossain (Mohammedan SC), Nabib Newaz Jibon and Samuel Boateng (Rahmatganj MFS), Sazzad Hossen and Mustapha Drammeh (Brothers Union), and Mohammad Ibrahim (Abahani) 鈥� shared the top scorers chart after each of them ended the competition with seven goals.
Earlier on April 23, the game was left off due to bad light after 105 minutes of play with the match tied at 1-1 after the stipulated time and the first half of extra time.
Argentine forward Juan Lescano gave Kings the lead in the sixth minute before Abahani midfielder Mohammad Ibrahim cancelled out the lead nine minutes later.听
Soon after the second half began, a thunderstorm swept the stadium, forcing an hour-long delay. Play resumed under poor conditions, with no floodlights and a waterlogged field.
Kings were reduced to 10-man in the 103rd minute, with midfielder Foysal Ahmed Fahim being sent off with a straight red card.听
Apart from one red card, referee Symoon Hasan showed 16 yellow cards鈥攕ix to the Abahani players, eight to the Kings鈥� players, and two to officials鈥� in the keenly contested final.
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