Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dhaka: Maldivian champions New Radiant got their 2018 AFC Cup campaign off to the best possible start with a 1-0 win away from home against Bangladesh's Abahani Limited on Wednesday.
Played at the Bangabandhu National Stadium the two sides couldn’t be separated in a tight and at times fiery first half.
The home side had a glorious chance to open the scoring early in the second half when Sunday Nwadialu headed over the crossbar under little pressure.
They were made to pay for that miss when Ali Fasir put the visitors ahead with a left-footed strike just before the hour mark after a lovely piece of build-up play in which the visitors passed the ball around with ease before finding an opening.
Two minutes Emeka Onuoha put the ball in the back of the net for the home side, but was denied by the offside flag from the assistant.
The match went from bad to worse for the home side when Sunday was shown a second yellow card just five minutes later, reducing Abahani Limited to 10 men for the final 30 minutes.
Despite creating chances to extend their lead, New Radiant couldn’t find the second goal they needed to make the match more comfortable and had to endure a nervy last few minutes before the win and three points were secured.