Shawdesh Desk:

The top Bangladeshi outfit Bashundhara Kings made a new history when they secured the top tier professional football league title Bangladesh Premier League for the third consecutive time on Monday.

Kings beat Saif Sporting Club by 2-0 goals to secure the title with two-match to spare in their 20th match of the ongoing league at the crowded Bir Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Munshiganj.

Midfielder Matin Miah and substitute midfielder Biplo Ahmed scored one each for the champions in the 28th and 81st minutes.

With the day’s feat, Kings collected a total of 51 points from 16 wins, 3 draws and one defeat. They now have a 10-point lead over their nearest opponents Dhaka Abahani Ltd.

Dhaka Abahani Ltd were in second place with 41 points from 12 wins, 5 draws and 2 defeats. They will not fill the gap of 10-point despite having 9 points from their remaining three matches.

Kings earlier clinched the country’s top tier domestic league title in 2018-19 and 2021.

The BPL title was Kings’ first domestice title of this ongoing season as they earlier failed to retain two other major titles — Independence Cup and Federation Cup.

The giants lost the Independence Cup title to Dhaka Abahani before pulling out their participation from Federation Cup as a part of their protest against the Bangladesh Football Federation’s unethical fixture format and venue.

The BPL title was also important for Kings as it will provide a ticket to directly enter into the group stage of next AFC Cup.

On Monday, Kings appeared on the field to play the crucial match without their Brazilian captain cum forward Robson Azevedo Da Silva. Roboson missed the match due to a muscle injury.

But the Bangladeshi giants were confident enough to show their best performance in the match. Forward Tawhidul Alam Sabuz led the team in the place of Robson.

Kings appeared with goalkeeper – Zico, three defenders– Yeasin, Tariq Kazi, Bishwanath;  three forwards – Rimon, Sabuz, Nuha and four midfielders – Fahad, Miguel, Matin and Sohel.

Kings got a 1-0 lead while Matin buried the ball into net with a right-footed, off a cross from Miguel in the 28th minute (1-0).

But the giants got a big blow as they were reduced to 10-man. Defender Yeasin Arafat conceded a direct red card as he illegally fouled Saif defender Md Rahim Uddin in the 37th minute.

Despite reducing a 10-man team, Kings gave no chance to the hosts to dominate in their half. Zico and the defenders successfully maintained their lead for the next 53-minute.

Kings sealed the fate of the match when substitute midfielder Biplo scored with a powerful  left-footed shot inside the box in the 81st minute (2-0).

Kings will play their next match against Dhaka Abahani Ltd which is likely to be held at Bashundhara Sports Complex next week.