Kings eye treble, Mohammedan a title

Bashundhara Kings will look to complete a domestic treble when they face Mohammedan Sporting Club in the Federation Cup final at the Bashundhara Kings Arena today.

The final had initially been scheduled for yesterday but was postponed by 24 hours despite Mohammedan’s appeal against playing the match at the home venue of Bashundhara Kings.

Having already won the season-opening Challenge Cup and reclaimed the Bangladesh Football League title, four-time Federation Cup champions Kings are now aiming to add a third trophy, repeating the treble-winning feat they achieved in the 2023-24 season.

“We are ready for the final and want to complete the treble,” Kings coach BA Zubayer Nipu told The Daily Star, adding that the return of key players Rakib Hossain and Rimon Hossain had strengthened the squad after both missed the league clash against Abahani.

Nipu, however, warned against underestimating Mohammedan.

“We know Mohammedan will give their all to win at least one trophy, but we are not worried about them, especially after Souleymane Diabate is not part of their squad,” he said.

Since entering top-flight football in 2018, Kings have enjoyed a superior head-to-head record against Mohammedan, winning 10 matches, losing six and drawing three across league and Federation Cup meetings. This season, Kings defeated Mohammedan three times and drew once during the Federation Cup qualifiers.

Mohammedan, meanwhile, are hoping to end the season on a high by lifting the Federation Cup for a 12th time.

“After going through a difficult period in the professional league this season, the Federation Cup became our opportunity to perform better, especially after our fresh start in the second phase of the league,” Mohammedan coach Abdul Qaiyum Sentu said.

“We have reached this stage through our performances, so we are hoping to give our supporters something special in the final.”

Mohammedan will once again rely heavily on in-form local forwards Sourav Dewan and Jewel Mia, while Uzbek midfielder Muzzafarov is expected to play a key role in attack.