Fortis FC concluded their AFC Challenge League campaign with a morale-boosting 3-1 victory over Tajikistan's Regar-TadAZ at the Mohammed Al-Hamad Stadium in Kuwait. Although the win came too late to secure a spot in the knockout stages, it marked a significant turnaround for the Bangladeshi side, who had struggled in their previous group encounters.
The match began with a setback for Fortis, as Sherzod Makhamadiev put the Tajik side ahead in the 12th minute. However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the second half when the Regar-TadAZ goalkeeper was shown a red card for a foul outside the penalty area. Capitalizing on the numerical advantage, Fortis launched a series of relentless attacks.
Rafael Tudu leveled the score in the 67th minute with a brilliant backheel finish from a Pa Omar Babou pass. The comeback was completed in the 71st minute when Shian Kawasaki fired a powerful volley into the net following a precise cross from Mohammad Ibrahim. The victory was sealed in the 88th minute by Shuki Itofusa, who scored the third goal to ensure a comfortable 3-1 finish.
Fortis FC’s journey in the tournament had been challenging from the start. They opened their campaign with a 3-0 defeat against Kuwait’s Al-Qadsia and subsequently lost 2-1 to India’s FC Goa. These two losses had already confirmed their elimination from the group stage before the final match took place.
Despite the early exit, the experience gained from competing against international clubs is invaluable for the squad. The team demonstrated resilience and tactical improvement throughout the tournament. The coaching staff is expected to use these lessons to refine their strategy for the upcoming domestic season, focusing on maintaining the attacking intensity shown in their final group match.
