Kings edge Sk Russel 3-2

Bashundhara Kings edged Sheikh Russel KC in a five-goal encounter as they won 3-2 in the Bangladesh Premier League football at the Bashundhara Kings Football Arena in Dhaka on Sunday.

The match saw numerous opportunities go begging as both sides were erratic with finishing.

Oscar Bruzon’s men got punished for a sluggish start and conceded a penalty in the 28th minute when centre-back Bishwanath Ghosh pulled back Sk Russel striker Richard Gadze, who was on his bike towards goal. The penalty was smartly converted by Ayzar Akmatov as Sk Russel took the lead.

But going behind had worked in favour of Kings as they showed more urgency and intent to come back into the contest.

A moment of brilliance by Brazilian midfielder Miguel Damascena levelled it for Kings in the 39th minute. Damascena took a central position outside of the box and picked his spot with his left foot from an incoming grounded pass by Kings skipper Robson Robinho. The ball found the top corner, and Kings were right back.

The second half saw a host of chances from both sides. Kings could’ve finished off the game in the next 10 minutes, but a couple of clear-cut chances were laid to waste by midfielder Biplo Ahmed, who for his first shot it straight to the keeper and failed to produce a shot in the second.

But in the 65th minute, Kings finally broke through to double their lead, courtesy of defender Khaled Shafiei, who made no mistake to find the net. Sk Russel goalie Ashraful Islam Rana’s rebound save from a corner found Khaled in the far post, and he drilled a shot in.

Kings managed to secure the win late in the 85th minute when skipper Robson Robinho, in his trademark move, came in from the left and rolled it towards goal with his right foot.

But Sk Russel found a lifeline in the 94th minute when substitutes Dipok Roy and Manaf Rabbi combined to make it 3-2. Rabbi managed to guide Dipok’s cross to the far corner as his team scrambled to get a point. But Kings held their own and the match finished 3-2.

Kings lead the table with 44 points, while Sk Russel stand eighth in the table with 18 points.