Bashundhara Kings will face off Maziya Sports and Recreation Club in a bid to get a better outcome in their home match of the AFC Cup football.
The vital match between Bangladesh and the Maldives giants will kick off at 6:00 pm Bangladesh time on Monday at the floodlight Bashundhara Kings Arena in the capital.
This would be great opportunity for Kings to take revenge of their 1-3 defeat to Maziya in Male. The Bangladesh champion Kings, after the humiliating 3-1 defeat at the hands of the Maziya Sports and Recreation Club in their away match in Male, strongly bounced back in their next matches, winning two and drawing one.
Kings, in their home match, defeated Odisha FC by 2-1, drew with Mohun Bagan Super Giants at away ground, and defeated the India Super League champion by 2-1 at home.
After obtaining deserving results in the previous three matches, Bashundhara brightened their chances to move into the knockout phase of the AFC Cup, and today’s match is very vital for them to elevate their chances. The King’s desperately need to win two more matches to seal their place in the semifinal.
But the hosts, Bashundhara, are under huge threat of injury because the captain, Robson Robinho, who has been in tremendous form, had an injury during the match against Mohun Bagan.
It is very much doubtful whether the most vital performer of the team would be available for today’s match. If one of the Brazilian trios, Robinho, who scored more than 50 goals for the Kings, misses the match, it will be a big blow to the hosts sides. Robinho, in their home match against Mohun Bagan, scored the winning goal when the equalizer came from his assist.
However, if Robinho is not able to play, the Kings will suffer a lot in his absence, as the combination of the Brazilian trio plays a key role in a match. In fact, Kings' main strength is the blend of Robinho, Miguel, and Dorielton. Dorielton and Miguel will hugely miss the captain’s company.
However, if Dorielton and Miguel on top could show glimpses of their ability to force a route to goal, whether direct or via another teammates, they would recover in the absence of Robinho. Oscar can also keep his confidence in their scoring ability and assists, most notably their playmaking role.
But it's been more than two months since their last visit to see Oscar Bruzon saw an embarrassing defeat, which was September’s (September 19) cruel 3-1 loss at Male despite enjoying the lion share of match possessions and opening at least half a dozen soring chances.
Since then, the Kings have won two and drawn one match, with Bruzon’s men picking up seven points from their three games played during that time.
Kings have been rejuvenated under Bruzon since sharing points in an away match against Mohun Bagan and then defeating Odisha AFC and Mohun Bagan on home ground, with their hybrid positional moves of Brazilian players accompanied by the local stars dovetailing well.
At the back, Tarek Kazi and Bisawnath Ghosh’s performances and underlying numbers have many believing they are nearing the peak of their powers once more, while the front five are also in-form.
Across the entire squad, there are feel-good factors and positive omens ahead of what represents their toughest away-day campaign. It was a happy journey of November to celebrate, as swashbuckling King could look like when his side romped to a 2-1 win, one each against Odisha and Mohun Bagan.
Another victory would provide an even more extensive record of qualifying in the semifinals of the AFC Cup.
