It is the second successive time Bashundhara Kings had to return home due to a controversial decision of referee despite going very closer to qualify in the knockout phase of the AFC Cup when the Bangladesh champions were eliminated from the group stage on Monday.
This time also it was too much tragic for Bashundhara Kings being eliminated from the group stage of the AFC Cup when they were victims of a wrong decision from referee during a match against Odisha FC on Monday at the Kalinga Stadium, Odisha, India.
It was the last match of Group D when Bashundhara Kings were leading the table with 10 points followed by the host Odisha FC were in second position with nine points.
Bangladesh champions Kings needed a draw when the Odisha were in must win position to move into the knockout round.
Kings, started the match with their strategy, as they were not in attacking attitude right from the beginning of the game and the match was going almost evenly exchanged. But just few minutes before the break, Kings were reduced to 10-man, as the referee gave a harsh decision with showing red card to defender Gafurav.
Kings had to play with 10-man for rest of the time in the vital encounter and Odisha FC won the match by a solitary goal struck by M Fall in the 61st minute.
Bashundhara Kings, who made a strong bounce back after their unexpected defeat to Maziya Sports and Recreation Club of Maldives in Male in the first match and did not look back on their way to go on top of the points table of the Group D.
Bashundahra Kings after their first match against Maziya at their home venue, beat them at Kings Arena with one-sided encounter following a 2-2 draw against Muhan Bagan at their ground, and defeated them at home ground, then they also defeated Odisha FC in home match dominating thoughout the game to become the table toppers.
It was third attempt of the Kings, who did not make it success in their previous two times and that time the Indian giants Muhan Bagan were the big hurdle for them to cross.
In 2021 also Kings were victim of injustice when they were leading the match against Muhan Bagan by 1-0, minutes before half time a controversial decision was given against the Kings’ defender Shushanta Tripura with showing red card. Muhan Bagan moved into the next round after a 1-1 draw with a dying minute goal.
This time, also Odisha FC qualified for the knockout stage of the AFC Cup in their first ever appearance in the competition after winning against the 10-man Kings.
On the day, it was a very ordinary move from Odisha FC some few metres from outside the box when Gafurob made normal tackle to an Odisha forward but the referee who was almost nearer to the incident, first looking for yeallow but thinking for seconds show the red the card. It was a very much questionable call from the match official.
In TV replay it was seen, that was not any danger tackle to show even a card and referee could avoid it.
Watching the decision all the Kings’ players were speechless, the officials and spectators were also astonished viewing the major punishment for minor offense, when it was also an odd but ruthless decision.
Kings had to return home being victmised by a controversial decision from refree.
