Bangladesh champions Bashundhara Kings stayed in the Group D title race of the AFC Cup Football 2022 eliminating Indian I-League champions Gokulam Karela FC by 2-1 goals in their 3rd and last group match at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium) in Kolkata on Tuesday
With the day’s well merited victory, last two times BPL champions Bashundhara Kings took lead in Group D table securing six points from all the three group matches, despite they conceded a humiliating 0-4 goals defeat against Kolkata giant Mohun Bagan last match.
However, the Kings have to wait for the result of remaining Group D match between ATK Mohun Bagan of Kolkata and Maziya S&RC of the Maldives,scheduled for tonight (Tuesday night)
Bashundhara Kings will emerge group champions to reach inter-zone play-off semifinals of the AFC Cup if the Mohun Bagan-Maziya match ended in draw, as both the teams bagged three points each from two matches.
A win against Maziya will through Mohun Bagan into the next round (Inter zone semifinals) of the Asia Cup.
Gokulam Kerala FC made a good start in the ongoing AFC Cup stunning Kolkata giant ATK Mohun Bagan by 4-2 goals in the opening match. But they were eliminated from the cup after suffering two successive defeats against Maziya (0-1) snd the Kings.
Kings won the day’s match as the better side after.dominating the match all through against the I-League champions.
In the day’s vital match, captain cum Brazilian striker Robson Robinho put the Bashundhara Kings ahead in the 36th minute by a good shot after dodging past two opponent defenders (1-0).
Gambian striker Nuha Marong, who scored the match-winner against Maziya S&RC in the first match, doubled the Kings margin in the 54th minute by a cool header from close, utilizing a pass from day’s play maker Ronson Robinho (2-0).
Jamaican footballer Jourdaine Fletcher reduced the Gokulam Karela margin in the 75th minute by a powerful straight shot from the danger zone (2-1).
Although the Bashundhara Kings made a good start in their 2nd AFC Cup Football beating Maziya S&RC of the Maldives 1-0 last Wednesday, but they went down in the race after suffering a 0-4 defeat against ATK Mohun Bagan last Saturday.
Indian professional footballer Liston Colaco scored a hattrick for Mohun Bagan scoring three goals in a row while substitute booter David Williams of Australia scored the 4th goal for Mohun Bagan against the Kings.
Source: Bangladesh News Gazette