Bashundhara Kings clinched the first edition Bangladesh Challenge Cup title after a 3-1 comeback victory over Mohammedan Sporting Club at the Kings Arena in the city on Friday.聽
Kings captain and Brazilian midfielder Miguel Damasceno scored once in the injury time and assisted forward Foysal Ahmed Fahim and defender Topu Barman both occasions to score inside the stipulated time
Malian forward Souleymane Diabate gave Mohammedan the lead in the seventh minute of this season鈥檚 opening competition.
This was the first victory for Kings under Romanian coach Valeriu Tita, following three consecutive devastating losses in the AFC Challenge League 2024-25 in late October and early November in Bhutan.
With this title victory, Kings enriched their trophy table with 12 trophies, having won five straight titles of the Bangladesh Premier League, three Federation Cup and three Independence Cup titles under Spanish coach Oscar Bruzon鈥檚 tutelage from September 2018 to May 2024.
Mohammedan coach Alfaz Ahmed, under whom the country鈥檚 popular Black and White outfits bagged the 2022鈥�23 Federation Cup title after a 14-year gap, remained trophy-less losing this season鈥檚 curtain raiser on the day.聽
Alfaz鈥檚 team secured the runner-up position in all three previous competitions鈥攖he BPL, Federation Cup, and Independence Cup鈥攚hile Kings celebrated a remarkable treble victory in the previous season.
In the day鈥檚 play, Mohammedan went 1-0 up in the seventh minute when Diabate headed home the ball from the top of the six-yard box following a cross from the left by Nigerian forward Emanuel Sunday.
In the 30th minute, Miguel made the first attempt for the Kings, receiving a well-placed cross from Fahim on the left side of the box but it was delicately saved by Mohammedan keeper Sujon Hossain.
Kings desperately were looking to have the equaliser in the second half and returned to the game in the 73rd minute when Topu鈥檚 side volley from the top of the six-yard box found the back of the net connecting a corner by Miguel from the left side.聽
Kings took the lead when Fahim scored in the 80th minute, executing a right-footed volley from inside the box after connecting with a cross delivered by Miguel from the right.
Miguel extended the lead in the seventh minute of stoppage time with a remarkable solo effort, skillfully sliding the ball between two Mohammedan defenders inside the box to find the back of the net.
The Challenge Cup match is played between the champions of BPL and the Federation Cup.聽Since the Kings triumphed in both competitions last season, the runners-up team, Mohammedan, had the opportunity to compete in this title match.