Defending Champions Bashundhara Kings and three-time titleholders Mohammedan Sporting Club (MSC) set up a final clash in the Independence Cup with victories in their respective semifinals on Friday.
The Kings blew Dhanmondi outfit Abahani away with a 4-0 win at the Bashundhara Kings Arena while MSC won over Rahmatganj MFS by a solitary goal at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj. The final will be held in Gopalganj on December 18.
MSC reached final after nine years while Bashundhara Kings will be appearing in their fourth consecutive final.
The Black & Whites dominated the match slightly against Rahmatganj, who were playing without their head coach in the dug-out. However, the Old Dhaka outfit were able to keep the Dhaka outfit at bay in the first half before a 72nd-minute free kick from Muzaffarov ended Rahmatganj's hopes of making it to a maiden Independence Cup final.
Meanwhile, the Bashundhara Kings did not have it all their way in the first half as Abahani, coached by Diego Cruciani, created a number of scoring opportunities. However, goalkeeper Mehedi Hasan Srabon was in inspired form between the sticks at the Kings goal, keeping the defending champions in the game in the opening half.
The match changed complexion completely after the break when Sohel Rana scored a deflected goal in the 48th minute—his first goal in the Kings' colors. Dorielton Gomez increased the Kings' lead five minutes later, tapping home a brilliantly worked set-up from Rakib Hossain.
Miguel Figueira's header on a cross from Saad Uddin made the scoreline 3-0 in the 77th minute before Robson Robinho completed the rout with a spot kick in the 89th minute, even though the decision did look pretty harsh.
The Kings''4-0 victory over their biggest domestic rivals will ease some of their pain after being eliminated from the group stage of the AFC Cup in controversial fashion last week.
