# Bangladesh's Police FC Suffers Defeat in AFC Challenge League Debut

*Bangladesh Police Football Club faced a tough 1-0 loss to seven-time Syrian champions Al-Ittihad Ahli in their AFC Challenge League debut.*

August 12, 2026 · Sports

## At a glance

- Police FC suffered a 1-0 defeat to Al-Ittihad Ahli in their AFC Challenge League debut.
- Al-Ittihad Ahli are seven-time champions of the Syrian league.
- Police FC qualified for the AFC Challenge League as the fourth-placed team in the Bangladesh Football League.

Bangladesh Police Football Club's journey in the AFC Challenge League began with a challenging encounter, as they fell to a 1-0 defeat against Syrian powerhouse Al-Ittihad Ahli. The match, held on Tuesday night at King Abdullah Stadium in Amman, Jordan, marked Police FC's inaugural appearance in continental football.

## An Uphill Battle for Police FC

Despite their spirited effort, Police FC couldn't overcome the seasoned Syrian side. Al-Ittihad Ahli, having a history of seven Syrian league titles, showcased their experience, capitalizing on Police FC's inexperience in international competitions. The defeat was a sobering start for the Bangladeshi team in their first foray into the AFC Challenge League.

## Competitive Qualifying in Bangladesh

Police FC and Fortis Football Club secured their spots in the AFC Challenge League as the third- and fourth-placed teams in the Bangladesh Football League. This came after the league champions Bashundhara Kings and runners-up Abahani were disqualified from the competition due to FIFA sanctions. Fortis marked their international debut with a 1-0 win over Kyrgyzstan's Muras United earlier the same day.

The loss to Al-Ittihad Ahli highlighted the gap between Bangladeshi clubs and their more seasoned counterparts from the Middle East. While Police FC fought valiantly, the lack of international experience proved to be a significant hurdle. This match sets the stage for what could be a learning curve for Bangladeshi football clubs in the AFC Challenge League.

For Police FC, the defeat serves as a reminder of the challenges ahead in their quest to compete at a continental level. The experience gained from this match will be crucial as they look to build on their performance in future games.

## Sources

- BSS

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Source: https://pulsetoday.com.bd/en/sports/bangladesh-police-fc-afc-challenge-league-defeat