Dhaka Mohammedan SC brightened their chance to clinch the 10-team Bashundhara Group Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) Football crown, beating five-time champions Bashundhara Kings by 2-1 goals in a nerve-shattering match at the floodlight Bashundhara Kings Arena here Saturday evening.

With the day’s shocking defeat, big-budgeted and star-studded Bashundhara Kings went into the title race with 20 points from eleven matches and remained at the 3rd slot in the league table.

This was the 2nd consecutive defeat for Bashundhara Kings against the Mohammedan SC in the ongoing league after their first defeat in the first phase league. However, the Kings clinched the season’s curtain raiser soccer meet, the Challenge Cup Football 2024-25, outplaying Mohammedan SC by 3-1 goals in the final last November.

By virtue of the day’s inspiring victory, the traditional black and whites Mohammedan SC kept their league’s top slot intact, comfortably securing 30 points from eleven matches, while Dhaka Abahani Limited followed them with 26 points, also playing eleven matches.

In the day’s match, captain cum long-serving Mali booter Souleymane Diabate scored both the goals for Dhaka Mohammedan SC in the 19th and 86th minutes, while Rakib Hossain netted the only goal for the Kings in the 25th minute.

Souleymane Diabate put Mohammedan SC ahead in the 19th minute, utilising a misunderstanding between Kings defender and custodian Srabon (1-0).

But forward Rakib Hossain levelled the margin for Kings in the 25th minute by a rebounder when a free kick of his mate Jonathan came his way from opponent custodian Sujon (1-1).

When the match was almost heading for a draw, then Souleymane Diabate again came to rescue Mohammedan SC, scoring the match-winner in the 86th minute, beating the opponent defender and custodian (2-1).

Bashundhara Kings were restricted to 10 men in the 48th minute as their Rimon got marching orders in the 48th minute.

After winning the match, players of the Mohammedan SC gave a lap of honour at the ground with the Palestinian flag.

In the day’s other match, Dhaka Abahani Limited outplayed Dhaka Wanderers Club by 4-1 goals at the Shaheed Barkat Stadium in Gazipur Saturday afternoon.

After a barren first half in Gazipur, Brazilian midfielder Raphael Augusto struck twice for the sky-blue Dhanmondi outfit Abahani Ltd in the 48th and 83rd minutes; local striker Sumon Reza and medio Mohammad Hridoy added two more goals for Abahani in the 51st and 57th minutes, respectively.

 Sakib Bepari netted the consolation for the old horse Dhaka Wanderers Club in the 55th minute from a penalty.

In the day's other match, Fortis FC advanced to the 5th slot in the league table, defeating Brothers Union Club by 2-0 goals at the Bir Shreshtho FL Lt Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj on Saturday.

Defender Kamacai Marma put Fortis FC ahead in the 45th minute, while Gambian forward Pa Omar extended the Fort's margin in the 60th minute.