Basundhara Kings advance to semifinal eliminating Muktijoddha SKC 4-1 in tie-breaker

Bashundhara Kings reached the semifinal of the Federation Cup Football Tournament eliminating Muktijoddha Sangsad Krira Chakra by 4-1 goals in the tie-breaker of a nail-biting 4th and last quarterfinal match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Tuesday.

The match was locked in a 1-1 goal in the stipulated 90 minutes. Both teams also failed to score in the extra session that forced the match towards the tie-breaker.

BSK will play Police FC in the 2nd semifinal on Friday (January 3).

In the tie-breaker, Kyrgyz midfielder Baktyir Duishobekov, Argentine defender Nicolas Delmonte, captain cum Costa Rican forward Daniel Colindres Solera and substitute midfielder Atiqur Rahman Fahad scored for the Kings in the tie-breaker

On the other hand, Cameroonian forward Biyaga Paul Emili scored the lone goal for Mutijoddha. Kings Goalkeeper Anisur Rahman Zico smartly saved two attempts of Muktijoddha's Japanese midfielder Norito Hash Higuchi and local midfielder Md Tarikul Islam.

Earlier in the scheduled time, the Bangladesh Premier League champions Bashundhara Kings got their success in the 3rd minute of the game. Lebanese forward Mohamad Jalal Kdouh sent the ball home by a close-range grounder inside from the box, utilizing a short pass off another forward Motin Mia (1-0).

Kings could widen the margin in the 20th minute as their Costa Rican forward Daniel Colindres netted the ball home, but referee Sohrab Hossan rejected the goal due to offside.

Kings got another chance in the 28th minute but a long-range shot of Mahbubur Rahman Sufil was denied by Muktijoddha goalkeeper Mahfuz Hasan Pritom.

On the other hand, Muktijoddha tried to make counter-attacks against their mighty opponents. The three-time Federation Cup champions got a close chance to level the margin in the 36th minute but midfielder Md Tarikul Islam failed to fire the net.

After the half-time, both teams made several attempts but failed to convert any.

In a span of one minute, both captains missed one chance each.

In the 58th minute, Muktijoddha captain Biyaga Paul Emili missed a close call inside from the box and just a minute later Colindres missed the target in the 57th minute.

Muktijoddha finally got the success as their forward Mahaedi Hassan Royel levelled the margin by a simple tap-in shot from the danger zone in the 76th minute (1-1).

The goal boosted Muktijoddha's morale and confidence and they started to put pressure on Kings, but all of their efforts went in vain near Kings defence wall.