Brazilian midfielder Raphael Augusto netted a brace as holders Abahani Limited concluded their opening-round fixtures as Group C winners after beating Bangladesh Muktijoddha Sangsad Krira Chakra 3-1 at Shaheed Dhirendranath Datta Stadium in Cumilla Wednesday.
The Sky Blues won all three group matches to earn maximum nine points, while Muktijoddha managed a couple of victories for six points to move to the last eight as runners-up.
Raphael gave Abahani the lead in the early stage of the game, pacing past a defender following a Getterson Alves through before firing home into the far post.
Nigerian forward Peter Nworah, who made debut for Abahani after being excluded from first two matches, set up the second goal for Raphael just before the half-hour mark.
Emmanual Uzuchukwu, the Nigerian forward of Muktijoddha, pulled one back following the break after converting a penalty, before Getterson sealed the victory with a simple tap-in at the hour-mark.
Getterson scored in all three matches for Abahani to mark his debut tournament in Bangladesh.
Mario Lemos earlier made three changes from the previous match, which included giving rest to Costa Rican World Cupper Daniel Colindres who made way for Nworah.
Abahani will face the Group D runners-up in their quarter-final in Gopalganj this Sunday in a bid to retain the title.
RESULT
Abahani 3 (Raphael 4,27, Santos 61) Muktijoddha 1 (Emmanuel 51)