Bashundhara kings and Mohammedan kick off season with spectacular goal fest
The opening day’s action has set an exciting tone for the season, with Mohammedan and Bashundhara already standing out as early favourites in the race for the title.
The new season of the Bangladesh Premier League began with a flurry of goals, as three matches on 29 November produced a total of 16 goals.
Mohammedan Sporting Club delivered an emphatic 6-0 victory over Dhaka Wanderers, Brothers Union edged past Bangladesh Police 2-1, and defending champions Bashundhara Kings outclassed Chittagong Abahani with a commanding 7-0 win at Kings Arena.
Bashundhara Kings, under coach Valery Tita, sent an early warning to their rivals by showcasing their dominance from the outset.
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Fresh off their Challenge Cup win over Mohammedan the previous week, the five-time champions demonstrated why they remain the team to beat this season.
Despite Mohammedan's impressive six-goal display earlier in the day, Bashundhara one-upped their rivals in spectacular fashion, dismantling Chittagong Abahani with a masterful performance.
The defending champions wasted no time asserting their authority, racing to a 4-0 lead by half-time.
Chittagong Abahani, still adjusting after hastily assembling their squad in the final days of the transfer window, were no match for the relentless pressure from Bashundhara.
French striker Jared Khassa made a sensational debut, scoring twice before being substituted with a minor muscle concern. Miguel Damasceno and Faisal Fahim added to the tally, as Bashundhara's intricate passing and fluid attacks overwhelmed the opposition.
Chittagong Abahani rarely ventured forward, managing their first shot in the 64th minute—a speculative effort from outside the box.
Their captain, Tawhidul Alam Sabuj, a former Bashundhara player, had a fleeting chance minutes later but failed to find the back of the net.
In contrast, Bashundhara continued to press, with Mojibur Rahman Jony scoring their fifth goal in the 70th minute. Rakib Hossain added two late goals, including a stunning finish from a tight angle, completing the rout at 7-0.
With this win, Bashundhara set up a highly anticipated clash with Mohammedan on the second matchday, a battle between the league's two strongest title contenders. After the first round of matches, the two teams sit at the top of the table, separated only by goal difference.
Earlier in the day, Mohammedan Sporting Club showcased their title credentials with a dominant display against Dhaka Wanderers.
Last season's runners-up in both the Premier League and Federation Cup overwhelmed their opponents, scoring three goals in each half. Suleymane Diabate starred with a brace, while Sunday Emmanuel and Ernest Boateng contributed a goal each. Minhazur Abedin Rakib and Saurav Dewan rounded off the scoring for Mohammedan, who look determined to challenge for silverware this season.
Meanwhile, Brothers Union claimed a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Bangladesh Police at the Bir Shrestha Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj.
Brothers' foreign signings, Madi Cissé and Zakaria Darbo, made an immediate impact, scoring a goal apiece. Cissé opened the scoring in the 23rd minute, but Manik Mollah equalised for Police just before half-time.
In the second half, Darbo's 62nd-minute strike proved decisive, securing all three points for Brothers in a competitive encounter.
