Mohammedan, Kings share the spoils of goalless draw

Reigning champions Bashundhara Kings survived a stoppage-time scare to play out a goalless draw against arch-rivals Mohammedan in a high-stakes Federation Cup Group B encounter at the Shaheed Dhirendranath Datta Stadium in Cumilla on Tuesday.

With two consecutive draws and one win from three matches, 11-time champions Mohammedan maintained second place in Group B with five points, level with group leaders Fortis FC. Four-time champions Kings, meanwhile, remained fourth in the five-team group after recording their second successive draw.

Still reeling from a 2-0 defeat to Bangladesh Police in the Bangladesh Football League on Saturday, Kings entered the match hoping to turn things around and improve their standing in the Federation Cup. However, they struggled to breach the disciplined Mohammedan defence, whom they had beaten twice earlier this season in the Challenge Cup final and the professional league.

Despite the presence of Brazilian forward Dorielton Gomes, Kings' attacking line-up looked blunt throughout the 90 minutes. Faysal Ahmed Fahim worked tirelessly down the left flank, delivering a series of crosses, but there was no one to capitalise on his efforts.

The first half was evenly contested, with both teams battling for midfield control. Kings thought they had taken the lead when Rakib Hossain found the net from a Fahim square-pass, but the goal was ruled out for offside. Mohammedan appealed for a penalty when Ghanaian forward Samuel Boateng's header from a Hafizur Rahman cross struck defender Saad Uddin's hand inside the box, but referee Nasir Uddin waved away the claim.

Kings applied sustained pressure in the final 10 minutes and came close to breaking the deadlock on three occasions, but Mohammedan goalkeeper Sujon Hossain stood tall, producing a series of fine saves to keep a clean sheet.

Mohammedan nearly snatched victory in stoppage time when Boateng squandered the easiest chance of the match. From a swift counter-attack, substitute Rahim Uddin raced down the right flank and squared the ball into the box, but Boateng hesitated with only goalkeeper Anisur Rahman to beat, allowing Kings captain Topu Barman to clear the danger for a corner.