Abahani Limited failed to advance to the group stage of the AFC Challenge League after losing to FC Muras United of Kyrgyzstan 2-0 in the preliminary round match at the National Stadium in Dhaka on Tuesday.
After a barren first half, Muras midfielder Atai Dzhumashev scored a brace on his side鈥檚 maiden appearance in Asia鈥檚 third-tier club competition.
Muras exerted early pressure, forcing Abahani goalkeeper Mitul Marma to make three vital saves within the first 12 minutes.
Muras nearly scored in the sixth minute when Atai made a dummy run inside the box, allowing forward Maksat Alygulov鈥檚 cross to reach Oleh Marchuk, who shot wide.
Just three minutes later, Mitul denied midfielder Codjo Chabel Gomez鈥檚 drive from the box following a short pass by midfielder Islam Iunusov.
Abahani found it difficult to penetrate Muras' defence, while the visitors squandered several scoring opportunities. Notably, Alygulov's powerful shot from a tight angle was directed straight at Mitul in the 12th minute.
Abahani had a chance six minutes later when their Malian forward, Souleymane Diabate, made his way into the box and needed only to beat Muras keeper, Orset Kostyk, but he curled his effort over the crosspiece.
Throughout the rest of the first half, Diabate, Al Amin, and Md Ibrahim squandered chances as Abahani remained goalless.
Muras continued their aggression in the second half and took the lead in the 48th minute when Atai headed home from inside the box after a cross from defender Andriy Batsula.
Abahani responded and almost levelled the score in the 72nd minute when midfielder Shekh Morsalin tested Muras' keeper Orset with a long-range shot.
Muras sealed their win in injury time when Atai intercepted the ball from defender Kamrul Islam and surged into the box to score past Mitul.
The six-time Bangladesh Premier League champions Abahani have participated in the AFC club competitions five times since 2017, and their best result was the zonal semi-finals of the AFC Cup in 2019.
Nine winners from the 18 teams in the preliminary round, along with eight sides with direct entry and three eliminated teams from the AFC Champions League Two Preliminary Stage, will compete in the 20-team group stage of the competition.
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