After consecutive defeats to Abahani Limited in the Qualifier 1 of the Bashundhara Group Federation Cup and to Mohammedan SC in the Bashundhara Group Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), Bashundhara Kings found themselves under pressure.
The reigning champions were going through a rough patch—rare for a side used to dominating domestic football.
Tuesday's Qualifier 2 against Rahmatganj Muslim Friends and Society offered a lifeline, and the Kings seized it with a gritty 2-1 win in extra time to book their place in the Bashundhara Group Federation Cup final.
At the Bashundhara Kings Arena, the three-time champions were forced to dig deep after Rahmatganj took a shock lead in the second half. But the Kings, stung by recent setbacks, responded with character.
Rakib Hossain’s equaliser pushed the match into extra time, before substitute defender Insan Hossain powered home a dramatic winner in the 112th minute to send Kings into their fifth Federation Cup final.
The early exchanges were tense, with Kings looking measured rather than menacing.
Rahmatganj, on the other hand, set up defensively but weren’t afraid to take their chances. In the 8th minute, Samuel Boateng beat the offside trap and chipped over the onrushing goalkeeper, only for a defender to head it away off the line. Minutes later, Egyptian midfielder Mustafa Abdelkhaleq rattled the woodwork with a thunderous strike from outside the box.
Rahmatganj’s persistence paid off in the 75th minute. Nabib Newaj Jibon’s low cutback evaded Tapu Barman and found Solomon King inside the area. The Gambian forward controlled the ball expertly before slotting past Mehedi Hasan Srabon to give the Old Dhaka side a surprise 1-0 lead—and briefly spark hopes of their first Federation Cup final since 2021–22.
But the Kings quickly regained their composure.
Just six minutes later, a long delivery from Saad Uddin found Rakib Hossain unmarked in the box. The winger’s delicate touch sent the ball past the keeper to level the score at 1-1.
With both sides locked after 90 minutes, the match moved into extra time.
In the 112th minute, Bashundhara found their breakthrough. A cross from the right flank was met by Insan Hossain, whose thumping header left the goalkeeper helpless. The young defender ripped off his shirt in celebration, earning a yellow card—but his goal was priceless.
With this win, Bashundhara Kings now face 12-time champions Abahani Limited in the final on 22 April—a chance not only at silverware but also redemption after the defeat in the Qualifier 1.
bd-pratidin/GR
