Gokulam stun Bashundhara

Bangladesh Premier League champions Bashundhara Kings were given a rude awakening by Gokulam Kerala in Group B’s opening match of the Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup at the MA Aziz Stadium in Chattogram yesterday.

The pre-tournament favourites looked ragged in their 3-1 defeat against the Kerala outfit.

Oscar Bruzon, the Spanish coach of Bashundhara Kings, had spoken highly of his latest acquisit ions -- both foreign and local -- in the build-up to the tournament. But most of the players, especially the new recruits including Lebanese international Jalal Kdouh and Bangladeshi national team forward Rabiul Hasan were most disappointing while late substitution Eleta Kingsley, who was the top-scorer in the first edition of the tournament two years ago, failed to make an impact.

Bashundhara players are dejected after their 3-1 defeat against Gokulam Kerala during their Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup encounter in Chattogram yesterday. Photo: Rajib Raihan

In contrast, Gokulam Kerala looked far more cohesive and clinical as a unit, which was spearheaded by Trinidadian midfielder Nathaniel Garcia and Ugandan striker Henry Kisekka and safeguarded by Ubaid Chino Kadavath.

The Kings dominated possession at the beginning with Biplu Ahmed’s shot and Daniel Colindres’ header missing the target before the speedy forward-line of Gokulam caused trouble for the their defence, marshalled by Yeasin Khan and Bishwanath Ghosh at the centre.

Gokulam broke the deadlock in the 24th minute when Kisekka outmuscled Yeasin on a long-cross before slotting the ball home.

Garcia doubled Gokulam’s lead six minutes later with a thunderous free-kick from 20 yards that evaded the wall.

Kisekka made it 3-0 right after the restart with an excellent placing shot.

Bruzon brought on Matin Mia, Alamgir Kabir Rana and Eleta to salvage a draw and the substitutions made an impact as the Bangladesh champions started to control the game.

Matin reduced the arrears from a rebound in the 74th minute after Jalal’s header came off the crossbar while Jalal had another shot off the post before Rana forced a brilliant save from Ubaid in the dying moments of the match.

Suzuki runs over Chennai

Terengganu FC’s Brazil-born Japanese forward Bruno Suzuki scored four goals as the Malaysian outfit handed a 5-3 thrashing to I-League champions Chennai City FC in the first match of Group B yesterday.

Suzuki helped give Terengganu a 3-2 lead with goals in the 39th and 45th minute after the Malaysian outfit had gone 2-1 down despite taking a third-minute lead through Rahmat Bin Makasuf.

Suzuki restored parity with a header before giving his side the lead just before the first-half whistle with a fine lob.

The 29-year-old scored two more in the second half, one with a spectacular finish from the top of the box in the 71st minute and his fourth with a close-range finish eleven minutes later before Chennai City skipper Pedro Manzi reduced the margin from the spot a minute before the end of regulation time.

Katsumi Yusa and Mashoor Shereef scored the first two goals for the I-League champions.