Bashundhara Kings lifted the champions trophy of the Independence Cup Football for the second consecutive time on Monday following a 2-1 win over Mohammedan Sporting Club in the final at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj.
The Bashundhara boys became champions for the first time in 2018 and the second time in 2022.
With the third this time, Bashundhara boys are currently sharing the status of the most successful team in the Independence Cup with Mohammedan Sporting Club.
Mohammedan boys also have three trophies in their showcase. They became champions in the first edition of the event in 1972 and afterwards, they won the trophy in 1991 and 2014.
Mohammedan came to play in the final of the Independence Cup Football after nine years but failed to utilise the opportunity.
Earlier, the traditional black and white outfits came to play the final with a 1-0 win over Old Dhakas Rahmatganj Muslim Friends Society in the first semi-finals on Friday.
Bashundhara boys, the defending champions were also worthy opponents as they outplayed Dhaka Footballs other powerhouse Dhaka Abahani in a 4-0 match in the second semi-finals.
On the day, Mohammedan boys got several opportunities yet failed to cash in those in their favour.
On the other hand, the well-funded Bashundhara Kings won the match but failed to show much superiority over the opponent team.
Before the breather, none of the opponents could find the net despite several attempts.
After the barren first half, in the 47th minute of the match, the Mohammedan boys saw a good thing happen as a red card was awarded to striker Rafiqul Islam of Bashundhara Kings for humiliating an opponent.
While the 10-booter Bashundhara boys were still trying to recover from the loss, the black and white outfits managed to break the deadlock in the 51st minute. Mohammedans Nigerian midfielder Emmanuel Sunday headed on a corner to rock the post.
It is said that achieving something is easier than keeping it. The same goes for the black and white jerseys.
In the next minute of taking the lead, Mohammedan Sporting Club lost the lead as Bashundhara Kings restored parity without any challenge from the opponent. Local striker Rakib Hossain faced no such challenge when he breached into the box and hit the net.
Bashundhara finally managed to score the match-winning goal in the 86th minute as a right-footed shot from Brazilian striker Dorielton Gomes found Mohammedans net. The traditional black and white outfits could do nothing in the remaining time.
Bashundhara Kings got the champions trophy and the Mohammedan Sporting Club runner-up trophy. The Fair Play trophy was given to Mohammedan Sporting Club.
