, Aug. 12 -- Abahani Limited's AFC Challenge League run ended before it really began.

At the National Stadium on Tuesday night, they went down 2-0 to Kyrgyz outfit FC Muras United in the preliminary play-off - and the scoreline felt about right.

For most of the first half, it wasn't one-way traffic. The home side were organised, sat deep when they needed to, and even strung together a few promising moves.

Mitul Marma, busy in goal, pulled off three saves that kept things level. Souleymane Diabate slipped Morsalin through once, but the finish wasn't there.

AFC Challenge League: Dhaka Abahani Ltd will play their match at National Stadium on Aug 12

That hope lasted barely three minutes after the restart. A long cross from Ukrainian left...