Bangladesh corporate side Fortis FC capitalized on home advantage and tactical discipline to secure a memorable 1-0 victory against Kyrgyz Republic league runners-up Muras United at the Bashundhara Kings Arena in Dhaka. The victory in the preliminary play-off match seals Fortis’s progression to the group stage of the AFC Challenge League in their maiden international campaign.
Finishing third in the previous Bangladesh Premier League season, Fortis FC restructured their starting line-up to bridge match fitness gaps ahead of their continental debut. Head coach Masud Kaisar fielded a heavily reinforced side comprising eight foreign players and three local stars. The balanced XI featured Sri Lankan goalkeeper Sujan Perera, Nepalese international Arik Bista, Gambian forward Pa Omar Babou, and Japanese defenders Shihan and Shimomura. They were joined by forwards Ibrahim and Insan, brought in on loan from Abahani Limited.
In contrast, Muras United struggled to adapt to Dhaka’s afternoon heat and stifling humidity. The Kyrgyz squad, built around tall, physically imposing players, fielded five foreign recruits—Ukrainian goalkeeper Kostyayek, Ukrainian defenders Andrei Batsula and Rekov, alongside players from Ghana and Belarus. The heavy atmospheric conditions noticeably sapped the visiting team’s energy from the opening whistle.
Both teams adopted a cautious defensive approach early on, though Fortis created the clearer opportunities during the first half. Gambian captain Pa Omar Babou came close to breaking the deadlock, but his effort deflected off a defender before rattling the crossbar. Muras United suffered a major setback in the 37th minute when key playmaker Zaparov Amir was forced off with an injury. At the other end, Fortis keeper Sujan Perera pulled off a crucial save to deny Kyrgyz midfielder Atabayev and keep the scoreline level going into the break.
The decisive moment arrived early in the second half. In the 52nd minute, Pa Omar embarked on a brilliant solo run from just inside the opposition half, dribbling past several defenders into the penalty area before laying the ball off to Ibrahim. The loan signing struck a low, powerful shot from the edge of the box into the back of the net, putting the hosts ahead. Shortly after, Nepalese defender Ananta Tamang nearly doubled the lead from a corner, forcing a fine save from the Muras keeper.
Desperate to equalize, Muras United committed players forward, putting immense pressure on the Fortis defense in the closing stages. Drama hit in the 74th minute when a shot struck Nepalese midfielder Arik Bista’s hand inside the box, prompting the Bahraini referee to award a penalty. Fortis received a reprieve, however, as Shimomura’s spot-kick rebounded off the side post.
Supported by an official crowd of 2,113 energetic spectators playing drums and chanting throughout the match, Fortis held firm until the final whistle. The victory serves as redemption for Bangladeshi football, coming almost a year after Abahani Limited suffered a 2-0 defeat against a Kyrgyz opponent in the same tournament.
Fortis FC will now await the official group stage draw for the 2026-27 AFC Challenge League season, scheduled for the third week of this month in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Fellow Bangladeshi side Police FC, who finished fourth in the domestic league, are also competing in the tournament with an away fixture in Jordan.
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