Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) football champions Bashundhara Kings earned a creditable 3-2 goals victory over Indian Super Cup champions Odisha FC in their second Group D match of the AFC Cup Football at their home venue, Bashundhara Sports Arena in Dhaka, on Monday.
Bashundhara Kings, which was earlier placed in Group D with Odisha FC, Kolkata Mohun Bagan Super Giant, and Maziya SRC of the Maldives,made a frustrating start losing to Maziya Sports and Recreation Club by 1-3 goals in their Group D away match in the Maldives last month.
Also read: AFC Cup Football: Bashundhara Kings drawn in Group D with Odisha FC, Maziya SRC, Mohun Bagan SG
This was the first defeat for the four-time Bangladesh champion Bashundhara Kings against any Maldives Cub playing six matches since 2018 and also their maiden defeat against Maziya SRC in three matches since 2021.
Despite dropping five key players of the team for disciplinary grounds in the day's match, the Kings dominated the first half by 2-1 goals at the home ground.
Also read: AFC Cup Football : Dhaka Abahani to fly for Kolkata Monday to play Mohun Bagan SG in play-off match
Five vital players—Anisur Rahmam Zico, Topu Barman, Shekh Morsalin, Towhidul Alam Sabuj, and Rimon Hossain—are now under club suspension for breaking discipline during the match against Maziya SRC.
In the day's home match, Brazilian striker Dorielton Gomes struck twice for the Kings in the 45th and 54th minutes, respectively, while Brazilian midfielder Miguel Ferreira netted the first goal for the Kings in the 39th minute.
Forward Diego Mauricio and substitute defender Jerry L scored one each for Odisha FC in the 19th and 65th minutes, respectively.
Also read: AFC Cup Football: Dhaka Abahani advance to play- off stage eliminating Club Eagles of Maldives 2-1
In the next and second away match, the Kings will encounter Kolkata Mohun Bagan Super Giant on October 24 at 4:00 pm at the Kalinga Stadim in Bhubaneswar, India.
Four teams from Group D will face each other six times on a home and away basis, and later the top team will qualify for the next round of the meet.