Defending champions Bashundhara Kings failed to secure a victory in their season opener, playing out a 1-1 draw against Arambagh Krira Sangha in the only Bangladesh Football League match held this Saturday. Although the Kings secured all three domestic trophies last season, they struggled to find their rhythm in this match. Their squad depth was impacted by the absence of several regular players currently participating in national team duties, forcing the team to field a lineup featuring new signings who have yet to settle.
The match, held at the Gopalgonj venue, saw the Kings take the lead in the 32nd minute. Nepali forward Anjan Bista, who is making his debut in Bangladesh, converted a penalty to open the scoring and mark his first appearance with a goal. Alongside Bista, his compatriots Rohit Chand and Manish Dangi also made their debut for the Kings, with Rohit Chand serving as the team captain. Despite the goal, the Kings faced significant pressure as the game progressed.
Arambagh mounted a persistent attack in the second half, frequently testing the Kings’ defense. While goalkeeper Pappu Hossain delivered a standout performance to deny several scoring opportunities, the pressure eventually paid off in the dying moments of the match. During the eight minutes of stoppage time, just before the final whistle, Musa delivered a precise cross from the left flank. Shamim Yasir met the ball with a powerful header that bypassed the diving Pappu to secure the equalizer. This dramatic finish denied the champions an opening win, leaving both sides to share the points.
