The 18th edition of the Ascent Cup began with an action-packed opening day, featuring seven fiercely contested fixtures that set the tone for a competitive and entertaining tournament.

The curtain-raiser between GoldKinen and Zerocium was a tightly matched affair. Both sides lined up for the national anthem before delivering a spirited display reminiscent of top-tier league football. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, with both teams showing early promise as strong contenders for the title.

In the second fixture, iFarmer produced a dominant performance, securing a 5-0 win over Community Bank. Munna stole the spotlight with four goals, emerging as the tournament’s current top scorer and setting a high bar for individual excellence.

North End staged a dramatic comeback, overturning a 2-0 deficit to defeat their opponents 5-3. The team’s resilience and attacking prowess drew admiration from the crowd and may go down as one of the tournament’s most memorable turnarounds.

Ontik Technology asserted their dominance with a 6-0 victory over tournament debutants MarkoPolo.ai. Shaon’s agility and precise control proved too much for the newcomers, who struggled to keep up with the relentless offensive play.

In a clash of veterans, Incepta Pharmaceuticals and Aarong Dairy played out a 2-2 draw. The encounter highlighted tactical discipline and experience on both sides, keeping the audience engaged throughout.

Swisscontact secured a 3-1 win over Youngship Bangladesh, who are also new to the tournament. Despite the defeat, Youngship displayed grit and determination, suggesting they will grow stronger in the matches ahead.

Hosts Ascent rounded off the day with a convincing win over Max Secure. While the final score indicated a one-sided result, Max Secure showed glimpses of potential and are expected to improve as the tournament progresses.

With the opening day delivering thrilling football and promising talent, the Ascent Cup 2025 is poised to be a celebration of sporting spirit across the corporate and development sectors.