SPORTS REPORTER

Defending champions Bashundhara Kings and Fortis FC bolstered their chances of progressing to the second round of the Federation Cup after winning their respective Group A matches yesterday.

Kings notched up a hard-fought 3-2 win over Bangladesh Police FC in Dhaka, while Fortis posted an emphatic 3-0 win over Dhaka Wanderers Club in Cumilla.

These results kept Fortis FC at the top of Group A with seven points from three games, while second-placed Kings stay second with six points from as many games. Meanwhile, Bangladesh Police FC and Brothers Union, with one and three points respectively from two games, still have a chance to advance to the next round.

Kings got off to a sparkling start by taking the lead in the sixth minute at the Kings Arena, following a brilliant flick from Tapu Barman on a Miguel Ferreira corner.

Police, however, levelled the score in the next minute. Left-back Isa Faysal ran down the left flank to enter the box before releasing a low cross for Al Amin, who raced in to tap the ball between defenders Isaiah Ejeh and Saad Uddin.

Kings, though, restored their lead in the 11th minute when Miguel drove a left-footer home inside before a close-range tap-in from Jonathan in the 52nd minute gave them a 3-1 lead.

Two minutes later, Al Amin reignited the contest by reducing the margin with a marvellous goal. The 20-year-old winger, receiving a through pass from Quazem Kirmanee, ran past the onrushing goalkeeper Mehedi Hasan Srabon and, despite finding himself in a difficult position inside the box, he struck from a tight angle to make it 3-2.

At Shaheed Dhirendranath Datta Stadium, Fortis took the lead through Joy Kumar just before the interval. Joy doubled the advantage in the 75th minute before Piash Ahmed Nova sealed the win in the 89th minute.