BSS, Dhaka :
Bashundhara Kings take on India’s Gokulam Kerala FC in their ultimate Group D match of the AFC Cup today at Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.
The match kicks off at 5 pm (BST). Maldives’ Maziya Sports and Recreation Club also meet local heavy weight ATK Mohun Bagan in another group D match which will be held at the same venue at 9.00pm (BST).
After a horrible 4-0 defeat to ATK Mohun Bagan, Bashundhara’s chances to reach the regional semifinals as group D champions almost faded away, but Maziya Sports and Recreation Club shrugged off their previous match defeat by keeping the attraction of group fight after beating Gokulam Kerala by 1-0 goal.
At the end of two matches of the group, four clubs have equal three points each and all four clubs have equal chance to become group champions. The results of the last two matches of the group can be blessing for any team though the equation is different for each team.
For example, if Bashundhara Kings able to beat India’s Gokulam Kerala in the ultimate group match and if the match between Mohun Bagan and Maziya Sports and Recreation Club ends in a draw, then the way to the next round will be open for the Bangladesh Premier League champions Bashundhara.
If Mohun Bagan and Bashundhara Kings able to win their last group matches, then the points of both teams will be equal and in this case Mohun Bagan will advance to the next round because they won the head-to-head battle.
If Bashundhara Kings able to win their last match and Mohun Bagan loses, both Bashundhara and Maziya’s points will be six. In this case, Bashundhara will advance to the next round by becoming the group champion due to being ahead in the head to head fight.
Earlier, Bashundhara Kings got off to a winning start beating Maziya S&RC by a solitary goal in their group opening match and suffered a 0-4 defeat to ATK Mohun Bagna in their second match.
While Gokulam Kerala beat ATK Mohun Bagan by 4-2 goals in their group opening match but suffered a 0-1 defeat to Maziya S&RC in their second group match.
