Saif SC concede 0-1 defeat to TC Sports of Maldives in AFC Cup

Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) side Saif Sporting Club were very unlucky in their first international appearance as they miserably conceded 0-1 goal defeat to Maldives Premier League TC Sports Club in the first play-off and home match of the AFC Cup 2018 despite dominating for most of the proceedings at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in the city on Tuesday, reports UNB.

Kyrgyzstan forward Vlasichev Anatolii scored the match-winning goal for the Maldives team in the 23rd minute of the match by an accurate ground shot from the danger zone after beating three opponent defenders, specially the defender Topu Barman (1-0).

New sensation in country's football Saif SC, which finished 4th in the just concluded Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), failed to make their first international appearance memorial spoiling at least eight good chances, four of which were foiled hitting the cross bar.

BFF and SAFF President Kazi Mohammad Salahuddin, SAFF secretary general Anwarul Haque Helal, owner of Saif SC Tarafder Ruhul Amin and AFC and BFF official Mahfuza Akhter Kiron witnessed the match.

TC Sports Club, which won the Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup title in Chittagong in March last year, will play their home match against the same team on January 30 at the National Stadium in Male with an extra advantage of 1-0 goal.

Saif SC, now had to win their away and 2nd play-off match with a good margin to reach next round of group level.

Saif Sporting Club is the second team from Bangladesh to qualify for the AFC Cup after Federation Cup and Bangladesh Premier League champions Dhaka Abahani Limited who supposed to represent Bangladesh in the AFC Cup qualifiers directly.