Saif Sporting exit AFC Cup after preliminary round loss

Saif Sporting Club have seen the exit door before the playoffs of the AFC Cup 2018 as the Bangladesh Premier League newcomer conceded a 3-1 defeat against host TC Sports in the second leg of the tournament's preliminary stage at Maldives National Football Stadium in Male Tuesday night. Saif Sporting lost the tie 4-1 on aggregate following their narrow 1-0 loss at home last week. They had to beat the Maldives league runners-up side in order to qualify for the playoffs but the home side scored two quick goals in the last five minutes of stipulated time after the opening half ended 1-1.

FT: TC Sports Club 3 - 1 Saif Sporting Club (4 - 1 on aggregate) TC Sports Club will face Bengaluru FC in the #AFCCup2018 Central Zone play-off after a win over Saif Sporting Club 4-1 on aggregate! pic.twitter.com/vNHtzMM9t1

— AFC Cup (@AFCCup) January 30, 2018

TC Sports loanee forward Vlasichev Anatoli stole the show once again as the Kyrgyzstan striker, who also netted the only goal in the first leg, slammed a hat-trick for the home side. Anatoli was signed in the Asian quota for the AFC Cup and the first leg was his debut appearance for the Maldives outfit. Anatoli put the home side ahead in the 23rd minute before Nigerian striker Kingsley Chigozie headed in a Jamal Bhuiyan corner to equalise for the visitor 10 minutes later. The Kyrgyz forward gave his side the lead again from a penalty in the 84th minute before completing his treble five minutes later.

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Also read: Misfiring Saif Sporting fall short

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Like Saif Sporting, TC Sports are also taking part in AFC Cup for the first time after making their Maldives top-flight debut four years ago.RESULTTC Sports 3 (Anatoli 23, 84 - P, 89) 1 Saif Sporting (Kingsley 33)TC Sports won 4-1 on aggregate