Dhaka Abahani Ltd clinched the season’s curtain raiser soccer meet, the Independence Cup, beating defending champions and star-studded Bashundhara Kings – who were expected to add another title to their haul – 3-0 in the final at the Bir Shrestha Shahid Shipahi Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur here on Saturday.

This was the first major football trophy for the Sky Blues in three years under Portuguese coach Mario Lemos. It is also their first title since the Federation Cup crown in 2018, and the Independence Cup trophy, an irregular tournament, after 31 years since 1990.

Bashundhara Kings were on a run ofive major soccer trophies during last three years. 

After a barren first half in the day’s match, Brazilian striker Dorielton Gomes struck twice and local booter Rakib Hossain netted the other goal for the popular sky-blue Dhanmondi outfit Abahani Ltd.

With the day’s feat, Dorielton named as the highest scorer of the meet scoring four goals while Rafayel Augustain of Abahani was adjudged the best player of the tournament. 

Saif Sporting Club was adjudged the most disciplined team to receive the “fair play trophy”.

Abahani Ltd earned the deserving victory after clearly dominated over their giant rival and BPL champions Bashundhara Kings.

Rakib Hossain put the sky-blue Dhanmondi outfit Abahani ahead in the 53rd minute by a spectacular placing shot, capitalizing on a pass Brazilian booter Rafayel Augustain (1-0)

Another Brazilian player Dorielton Gomes doubled the margin in the 53rd minute from a penalty (2-0), Abahani got the spot kick when Kings defender Rimon Hossain brought down Abahani’s Costa Rica forward Daniel Colindres in the danger zone.

Gomes sealed the fate of the match scoring his 2nd and third goal for Abahani in the 72nd minute, off Raphael Augusto corner came his way from Iranian booter Milad Sheykh (3-0).