BPL winner Dhaka Abahani Limited crashed out of the AFC Cup group stage after conceding a 2-0 defeat against Maldives champion Maziya Sports and Recreation Club at National Stadium in Male on Wednesday.
Two second-half goals from the home side meant Maziya moved to the top of Group E with 12 points from five matches while Abahani remained at the bottom with three points from the same number of outings.
The Sky Blues, who defeated Indian champion Bengaluru FC in their previous home match, will host Kolkata giant Mohun Bagan in their sixth and last group match at Bangabandhu National Stadium on May 31.
Following a barren opening half, midfielder Mohamed Umair put the Maldives outfit ahead a minute before the hour mark before striker Aleksandar Rakic doubled the lead in the 85th minute.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=10&v=QwgAfQU41rQ
Earlier, Abahani head coach Drago Mamic gave young forward Saad Uddin his first appearance in the AFC Cup starting XI. Saad and Rubel Mia both scored against Bengaluru in the last match and were rewarded with starting places up front against Maziya, alongside Welshman Jonathan Brown and Nigerian Emeka Darlington.
The Sky Blues had a chance to go ahead in the game in the seventh minute when defender Rayhan Hasan’s left-footed shot from outside the box went wide. Maziya captain Abdulla Asadullah and forward Rakic kept the opposition defence busy.
Darlington saw one of his headers fly inches wide at the quarter-hour mark following a Waly Faisal cross.RESULTAbahani 0 2 Maziya (Umair 59, Rakic 85)
Thursday, June 04, 2026
