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Bangladesh’s Fortis FC ended their AFC Challenge League campaign on a winning note, defeating Tajikistan’s Regar-TadAZ 3-1 despite failing to advance to the knockout stage.
Fortis came from behind to secure the victory in their final Group C match at the Mohammed Al Hamad Stadium in Hawally, Kuwait, on Friday.
Sherzod Makhmadaliyev put Regar-TadAZ ahead in the 12th minute, but the match took a turn six minutes later when the Tajik club’s goalkeeper was sent off for a foul outside the penalty area.
Substitute goalkeeper Shakhoviddin Makhmudzo-da immediately made an impact, saving a curling free-kick from Pa Oumar Babou to keep his side in the contest.
Fortis went into the half-time break trailing by a goal but made their numerical advantage count after the restart.
Rafael Tudu levelled the score in the 67th minute with an excellent backheel finish from a pass by Babou.
Fortis took the lead just four minutes later. Receiving a header from Ananta Tamang following Mohammad Ibrahim’s cross, Shian Kawasaki fired home a powerful volley to make it 2-1.
Fortis continued to push for another goal and sealed the victory in the 88th minute, when Shuki Itofusa scored with Babou providing the assist.
The win gave Fortis three points from their three Group C matches.
Their campaign, however, had already suffered a setback following defeats in their first two matches. They lost 3-0 to Kuwait’s Al-Qadsia in their opening game before going down 2-1 to India’s FC Goa, ending their hopes of progressing from the group.
Although Fortis bowed out of the tournament, the victory over Regar-TadAZ offered a positive finish to their continental campaign.
