Kings bow to newcomers

Bashundhara Kings bid to secure a third consecutive league title endured an early blip as they fell 2-1 to newcomers Swadhinata KS in the opening match of the Bangladesh Premier League at the Shaheed Ahsan Ullah Master Stadium in Tongi yesterday.

On the other hand, last edition's runners-up, Sheikh Jamal, made a winning start with a 2-1 win over Uttar Baridhara Club at the Birshreshtha Shaheed Fl. Lt Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj.

It was only the Kings' fourth defeat in 55 league matches since their top-flight debut. The other losses came against Sheikh Russel, Chattorgram Abahani and Mohammedan.

The star-studded side, who missed Spanish coach Oscar Bruzon in the dugout through illness, made a good start and established control but, despite having players like Bosnian striker Storjan Vranjes and Brazilian forward Robson Da Silva, they were far from clinical.

Kings came close to taking the lead in the 13th minute but Storjan floated miles off target before Swadhinata took the lead against the run of the play.

Bosnian forward Nedo Turkovic ran down the left flank and whipped in a seemingly harmless cross that went on to hit defender Atiqur Rahman Fahad's arm. Although the referee did not seem interested, the assistant raised his flag for the penalty. Seven to eight Kings players surrounded the assistant referee to protest the decision before Nedo sent Anisur Rahman Zico the wrong way from the spot to earn an unexpected lead in the 24th minute.

Swadhinata doubled their lead in the second half following a brilliant move that saw Rasel Ahmed dart into the box after a pair of one-twos with Nedo and Sabbir Hossain before keeping his cool and placing the ball to the far post.

Kings then exerted huge pressure but Sarwar made a couple of saves before Kings' assistant coach Mahabub Hossain Roxy sent on three pair of fresh legs. One of them, striker Touhidul Alam Sabuj, availed a long ball from fellow substitute Yeasin Arafat and headed home to reduce the margin in the 73rd minute, but try as they might Kings could not find an equaliser.

In the day's other game, three-time champions Sheikh Jamal faced little resistance from Uttar Baridhara Club, a side they had never lost against in eight previous league matches.

Sheikh Jamal took only 11 minutes to break the deadlock, with Sulayman Sillah tapping in after a powerful shot from Solomon Kings was parried by goalkeeper Saiful Islam Khan.

Two minutes into added time in the first half, Nigerian forward Chinedu Mathew doubled the lead before Uzbekistan midfielder Evgenty Kochnev pulled one goal back for Baridhara in the 68th minute.