Colindres, Kings show class
World Cupper Daniel Colindres showed his class to help newcomers Bashundhara Kings notch a come-from-behind 5-2 win over Mohammedan SC in the Walton Federation Cup at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
Colindres, who represented Costa Rica at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, scored a goal and set up three more to give the big-spenders a winning start in top flight football.
The Kings were twice down but hit back in the exciting match where they fielded national team forward Mahbubur Rahman Sufil and winger Mohammad Ibrahim as full-backs.
Colindres was easily the most recognisable player on the pitch not only for his tall physique but also due to his brilliant performance. The 33-year-old midfielder not only dictated terms in the middle but also released final passes selflessly to feed others to score.
“I was a bit nervous initially because it was my first match here. I think I played better in the second half because we had a good idea about the opponents. We tried to keep calm and tried to improve our game,” Colindres said after the match. “I tried to give my best to help Bashundhara Kings win. I said before that we have very good players like Emon, Jonny, Sufil, Ibrahim, Mitul, Matin and they provided me with good support in the match.”
Kings coach Oscar Bruzon played Sufil and Ibrahim as full-backs due to injury to Sushanta Tripura and ineligibility of Nasiruddin Chowdhury and Baktyiar Duishobekov. The defence was exposed on some occasions by darting runs from Mohammedan's Nigerian striker Kingsley Chigozie and Haitian Landing Darboe.
Mohammedan took the lead against the run of play when Landing tapped in a deflected drive from Chigozie in 18th minute before Colindres equalised from the spot after defender Mintu Sheikh brought down Ibrahim inside the danger zone in 28th minute.
Mohammedan restored their lead in the 66th minute, with Landing converting a spot-kick after goalkeeper Mitul Hasan brought down Chigozie inside the box. But Bashundhara Kings restored parity five minutes later with Gotor Blas firing home from inside the box following a free-kick from Colindres.
Toklish Ahmed was booked for the second time in the 74th minute, leaving Mohammedan with 10 men. The Kings took full advantage of the opportunity as substitute Matin Mia gave the newcomers the lead in the 78th minute with an angular shot before man-of-the-match Colindres set up Marcos Vinicius for the last two goals within two minutes inside the seven minutes of added time.
“I think many players made the difference. Colindres was superb, awesome and he had a beautiful performance,” said Kings' Spanish coach Bruzon, who was however a bit worried about his defence.
Comments