The score-line suggests a comfortable three points for the visitors, but the margins were finer than appears and Abahani needed a little luck to help them on their way.

It took just two minutes for Abahani to open the scoring at the Indira Ghandi Athletic Stadium, as a Rubel Miya effort deflected off Chawnghlut Lalrosanga and looped into the net.

The visitors extended their lead in the 17th minute when Ndukaku Alison converted a scrappy effort from close range after a corner wasn’t cleared, before Seiya Kojima made it 3-0 from just inside the area eight minutes before half time.

Things were tighter in the second half, with Aizawl managing to prevent Abahani from adding to the score but also failing to register themselves.

The defeat leaves Aizawl rooted to the bottom of the group without any points, while Abahani sit third on three, three behind New Radiant SC of the Maldives and six adrift of leaders JSW Bengaluru FC of India.

The two sides will come head to head again on April 25, when Aizawl will be targeting revenge for this loss in the return fixture in Dhaka.

Despite being a game which on the surface appeared heavily one-sided, only a Fatkhullo Fatkhulloev strike ended up separating the two sides. But for a few inches, Alay striker Amredin Sharifi could well have produced a late goal to level proceedings.

Istiklol's attacking profligacy made a contest of what should have been a comfortable 90 minutes for the hosts.

AFC General Secretary Dato’ Windsor John said the attendance for the ASEAN Zone Group H match was reflective of the continued improvements undertaken to enhance the prestige and standards of the competition.

Dato’ Windsor said: “The AFC, as envisaged in our Vision and Mission, is committed to improving the quality of our competitions for our players, fans and teams. This objective is reflected in this season’s AFC Cup with a record-breaking 44 clubs competing for the highest-ever prize money in the history of the competition.

“This record demonstrates the ever-increasing interest and wide appeal of the AFC’s competitions. I congratulate Persija Jakarta and I would also like to thank all our clubs and Member Associations for their commitment to improve the AFC Cup.

“It is particularly impressive this milestone was achieved in the group stages of the AFC Cup and I am confident, as we work closely with our Member Associations, we will continue to witness even more thrilling matches, which will engage and excite more passionate fans as the competition progresses into the knockout stages.”

The visitors from the Maldives dominated possession at the proceedings, but the game’s first dangerous chance fell Bengaluru’s way 15 minutes in, when goalkeeper Imran Mohamed’s poor clearance landed at the feet of Thongkhosiem Haokip whose first-time attempt was cleared off the goal-line.

Harmanjot Khabra tried his luck on the half-volley in the 32nd minute. The midfielder met Haokip’s cross from the right flank on the half volley but saw his effort sail wide off the post.

As the match drew to a close, the Indian side finally found the winner when talisman Sunil Chettri advanced through on goal before selflessly squaring for Kumar to tap into the empty net and earn Bengaluru their third win in three.

New Radiant’s first defeat leaves them three points behind Bengaluru who continue to lead the group with nine points. The two sides swap hosting duties as Bengaluru travel to the Maldives on Matchday Four later this month.

FIFA lifted its ban on competitive games in three cities in Iraq – Erbil, Basra and Karbala – on March 16, 2018, and as Shaikh Salman said: “This was a decision that the AFC actively supported and welcomes.

“I visited Basra in February for the 4-1 win against Saudi Arabia and I said then that the time had come for the lifting of the ban and I am delighted the FIFA Council agreed. Now we have another considerable milestone with the return of AFC Cup matches to the country in the next few days.”

The AFC Competitions Committee had agreed the postponement of the AFC Cup Group Stage (West) matches involving Al Zawraa Club and Bahrain’s Manama Club scheduled for March 6, 2018, and Iraq’s Air Force Club and Malkiya Club of Bahrain to have been played on March 13, 2018, until after the FIFA decision.

Now both these games can take place next week, while Lebanon’s Al Ahed will travel to Karbala tomorrow (April 10) for the Group B match against Al Zawraa at the Karbala International Stadium. The re-arranged games will take place on April 16 and April 17.

On April 24, Air Force Club will also play Al Suwaiq of Oman, again at the Karbala International Stadium in Karbala.

Shaikh Salman added: “I also commend the AFC Competitions Committee for its vision and wisdom in making a decision to postpone the matches from their original date until after the FIFA Council met. That initiative means that these matches can now go ahead on Iraqi soil.”

The AFC Champions League winners will receive US$4m – up from US$3m – in 2018 while the club that lifts the AFC Cup will pick up US$1.5m from next season rather than the US$1m currently on offer.

In announcing the rise, Dato’ Windsor John, the AFC General Secretary, said: “There is increased prize money at every stage in the AFC Champions League, which is already one of the richest continental club competitions in world football.

“The AFC Cup also sees significant increases for the winners and the finalists next season as we fulfil our Vision and Mission to deliver world class competitions which provide the best platform for Asia’s leading players.

“One of our key decisions has been to invest in both our competitions, which are the lifeblood of every Confederation, and our Member Associations who provide the teams. We can already see the rewards with even higher standards and greater intensity in the competition.

“The AFC has always looked to reward success and we are also dedicated to growing our competitions. Now we believe that in 2018 the incentive to win our two main club competitions will be greater than ever.”

The AFC Champions League is second only to the European club competitions in terms of prize money and in addition to the US$1m increase for the winner the runners-up will get an extra US$500,000 taking the purse to US$2m.

There is the introduction of a travel subsidy in the early stages with an increase in prize money to US$100,000 in the round of 16, US$150,000 in the quarter-finals and a rise of US$50,000 in the semi-finals taking the total to US$250,000 per team.

In the AFC Cup, the winners rise of US$500,000 is in addition to the increase for the runners-up to US$750,000 from US$500,000. All the increases will come into force in the 2018 AFC Champions League and the AFC Cup.

Photo: AFP