Ibrahim sends Fortis FC into AFC Challenge League group stage

Mohammad Ibrahim scored the decisive goal as Fortis FC edged Muras United 1-0 at Bashundhara Kings Arena on Tuesday to secure a place in the AFC Challenge League group stage on their continental debut.

Fortis, who finished third in the Bangladesh Football League last season, were awarded one of Bangladesh's two preliminary-round spots after Abahani and Bashundhara Kings were deemed ineligible for the competition. 

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They will now face three other teams in the group stage, with the draw scheduled for next week.

Coached by Masud Parvez Kaiser, Fortis played the better of the two teams at the Kings Arena under sweltering heat against the Kyrgyz Premier League runners-up, who had beaten Abahani 2-0 at the same stage in Dhaka last year.
 

The hosts had an early chance in the 12th minute when Ibrahim raced onto a through ball on a counter-attack and squared for Stephen Chukwude, but the Nigerian forward failed to control the ball in front of goal.

Fortis came close soon after when captain Pa Omar Babou's effort from the left side of the box struck the near post. Fortis goalkeeper Sujan Perera then produced a fine save to deny Atabaev Kanatbekovich.

Fortis finally broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute. Ibrahim controlled Pa Omar Babou's through pass brilliantly before calmly slotting the ball past the goalkeeper.

Ananta Tamang almost doubled the advantage three minutes later with a curling effort from the edge of the box, but the Muras goalkeeper produced a spectacular full-stretch save.

Muras were awarded a penalty in the 74th minute after Madamov Ismoilovich's shot struck Arik Bista's hand inside the box. 

However, Atabaev struck the post, allowing Fortis to preserve their lead.

The other Bangladeshi entrant, Police FC, will face Syria's Al-Ittihad Al Ahli away in Jordan on Wednesday.