Bashundhara got off to a great start, finding themselves a goal up after only six minutes when forward Emmanuel Sunday produced a moment of ingenuity, controlling Emmanuel Agbaji’s strike before backheeling the ball into the net following a corner set-piece.

Al-Karamah were limited to attempts from outside the box with Abdallah Zakreet’s effort from the left flank their best chance but Bashundhara custodian Mehdi Srabon was perfectly positioned to collect.

Late in the half, Bashundhara’s Raphael da Silva showed a good turn of pace to get away from Abdulrahman Alarjeh and Abdul Alanizan to drive into the box but scuffed his shot with Al-Karamah goalkeeper Abdullatif Nasaan easily fielding the attempt.

Sunday continued to be a thorn in Al-Karamah’s side after the break, combining well with Dorielton to create space in the box in the 52nd minute but could only send his shot wide of the mark.

The West Asian side had an opportunity of their own minutes later with Gabriel Mensah bursting past two markers before delivering a powerful strike from distance which Srabon needed two attempts to gather.

Al-Karamah pushed hard for the equaliser but apart from one Samod Kadiri header which was tipped over the bar by Srabon, they were unable to trouble Bashundhara’s defence with the Bangladesh side holding on for the win.