Defending champions Mohammedan beaten, Kings held by debutants PWD

Defending champions Mohammedan made a disappointing start to their Bangladesh Football League campaign, falling to a 2–0 defeat against Fortis at the Bashundhara Kings Arena on Saturday. Gambian striker Pa Omar Babou was the hero for Fortis, scoring twice in the second half to secure a memorable win against the reigning champions.

The first half remained goalless, but Fortis matched Mohammedan stride for stride. The breakthrough came in the 61st minute when substitute Sajed Hasan Jummon won the ball and delivered a sharp pass to Babou, who fired a powerful left-footed strike from outside the box past goalkeeper Sujon Hossain. Babou sealed the victory in the 79th minute, finishing a counter-attack he had initiated with a long pass to Riaz Sagor, who returned the ball with a cut-back for the Gambian forward to volley home.

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Abahani held by 10-man Rahmatganj

Bashundhara Kings, last season's runners-up and five-time league champions, also stumbled in their opener, drawing 2–2 against debutants PWD in Gazipur's Shaheed Barkat Stadium. The Kings led 2–0 by half-time, thanks to goals from Dorielton Gomes and Faisal Ahmed Fahim. However, PWD fought back in the second half. Akobir Turaev pulled one back from the penalty spot in the 58th minute after Sohail Rana fouled Sohanur Rahman Sohan in the box. Arman Faisal Akash then equalised in the 72nd minute, finishing a flowing move that exposed the Kings' defence and left goalkeeper Anisur Rahman Zico stranded.

Bashundhara Kings were held to a 1-1 draw by debutants PWD. Photo: BFF

In the day's other match at the Birshreshtha Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj, Bangladesh Police edged Brothers Union 1-0, courtesy of a 43rd-minute strike from Brazilian forward Paulo Henrique.

Following these results, Fortis and Police lead the table with wins, while Mohammedan and Brothers remain pointless. Bashundhara Kings, PWD, Abahani, Arambagh, Fakirerpool, and Rahmatganj each have one point. The first round of the league concludes with several upsets, and the competition now enters a break due to national team commitments in the Asian Cup qualifiers and Bashundhara Kings' participation in the AFC Challenge League.