Former champions Dhaka Abahani Limited made a winning start while last time's runners up Dhaka Mohammedan SC conceded defeat in the 10-team Federation Cup Football at two separate venues across the country on Tuesday.
Dhaka Mohammedan SC, which shocked last season's treble winners Bashundhara Kings beating them by 1-0 goal in a BPL match last week, today (Tuesday) made a frustrating journey in Fed Cup Football losing to Rahmatganj MFS by 0-1 goal at the Bashundhara Kings Arena.
This was the 2nd successive defeat for traditional black and whites Mohammedan at the Basundhara Kings Arena (ground) this season after conceding 1-3 defeat against the Kings in the one-match Challenge Cup Football recently.
Rajon Hawlader scored the match winning goal for the old Dhaka outfit Rahmatganj in the 83rd minute by an angular rebound shot (1-0).
Rahmatganj started the season brilliantly winning all three matches after winning two consecutive BPL matches..
Although, Rahmatganj winning the day' s match, but Mohammedan SC played a better game and they did everything except scoring goal from half dozen of good opportunities.
Rahmatganj goalkeeper Mamun Alif also performed brilliantly under the bar and foiled a series of Mohammedan good attempts.
Fed Cup Football: Traditional rivals Mohammedan, Abahani start campaign on Tuesday
Mohammedan SC were restricted to 10-men in the 85th minute as their player Shanto hit one of the opponent's booters.
In the day's other match, Dhaka Abahani Ltd, without any foreign players, made a flying start beating their minnow Chittagong Abahani Ltd by 3-0 goals at the Shaheed Dhirendranath Dutta Stadium in Cumilla on Tuesday.
Sumon Reza opened the Abahani account in the 17th minute by a good header, off a Kamrul Islam free kick and led the first half by 1-0 goal.
Mohammad Ibrahim doubled the Dhaka Abahani margin in the 76th minute by a placing shot (2-0) while Yeasin Khan sealed the fate of the scoring 3rd goal in the 88th minute (3-0).,
Earlier in the tournament opener on last Tuesday, Holders Bashundhara Kings managed 1-0 goal victory over Brothers Union Club while the other opening day's day's match between Bangladesh Police FC and Fortis FC ended in a goalless draw.
Ten premier division league clubs, split into two groups, are initially participating in the first phase of the Federation Cup Football at three venues in Dhaka, Mymensingh and Cumilla
Grouping of Federation Cup:
Group A -Bashundhara Kings, Bangladesh Police FC, Fortis FC, Brothers Union Club and Dhaka Wanderers Club
Group B - Mohammedan SC Ltd, Dhaka Abahani Ltd, Chattagram Abahani Ltd, Rahmatganj MFS and Fakirerpool Youngmen's Club.
Later, top two teams from each of the groups will play in the meet's next round (qualification and elimination) like the Franchisee Cricket League