Holders  Bashundhara Kings smartly reached the final of the season's curtain raiser soccer meet, the Independence Cup Football ' 2023 crushing former champions Dhaka Abahani Limited by 4-0 goals in the 2nd semifinal  at their home venue --Bashundhara Kings Arena-- here Friday evening.

This is the biggest victory for the Kings so far against Dhaka Abahani Limited since their first appearance in the country top level football.

The Kings will play final on Monday (December 18) at Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj against Dhaka Mohammedan SC, which made a final berth eliminating Rahmatganj MFS by 1-0 goal in the first semifinal, also in Gopalganj on Friday. 

After a barren first half in the day's 2nd semis, star studded Bashundhara Kings scored all the four goals in the 2nd half. 

Local medio Sohel Rana, Brazilian trio --midfielder Miguel Damasceno, forward Dorielton Gomes and striker Robson Robinho -- scored one goal each for the Kings.

Sohel Rana opened the floodgate for the Kings in the 48th minute from a good shot from goalmouth melee (1-0) while Dorielton Gomes doubled the margin in the 53rd minute by pushing the ball home from a handshake distance (2-0).

Brazilian striker Miguel Damasceno scored the 3rd goal for the Kings in the 77th minute by a good header from close (3-0) while Robson Robinho sealed the fate of the match scoring the 4th and last goal in the 89th minute (4-0).

The sky blue Dhanmondi outfit Abahani played better football in the first half, but they completely flopped in the 2nd half to concede a goal one after another.

Kings custodian Mehedi Hasan Srabon, who made some brilliant save in the match,  specially in the first half, was adjudged the best player of the match. 

Earlier in the day's first semifinal, Traditional Dhaka Mohammedan SC qualified for the final after about nine years eliminating old Dhaka outfit Rahmatganj MFS by 1-0 goal at the Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni Stadium in Gopalganj Friday afternoon.

Uzbek defender Muzaffarjan Muzaffarov scored the match winning goal for the traditional black and whites Mohammedan in the 72nd minute by a grounder free kick (1-0). Later, he was named as the best player of the match..

Earlier in the quarterfinals, Bashundhara Kings beat Bangladesh Army by 2-1 goals, Dhaka Abahani Ltd eliminated Sheikh Jamal DC by 3-2 goals in tie breaker, Mohammedan SC beat Chittagong Abahani Ltd  by 1-0 goal in the extra time while Rahmatganj MFS defeated Police FC by 2-1 goals.