In a thrilling match held at Bashundhara Kings Arena, Fortis Football Club made history by securing their spot in the AFC Challenge League group stage for the first time. The match, which ended 1-0 in favor of Fortis, was a testament to the team's resilience and skill. Mohammad Ibrahim, who scored the decisive goal, turned the tide for his team after an evenly contested first half.
The decisive moment came in the 52nd minute when Ibrahim collected a pass from Pa Omar, maneuvered past a defender, and fired the ball past the goalkeeper. This victory was particularly sweet for Ibrahim, who had been on the losing side in a previous encounter with Muras United a year earlier while playing for Abahani.
Fortis, who entered Bangladesh's top flight about six years ago, finished third in the latest Bangladesh Football League season. Their journey to the AFC Challenge League was not straightforward; they had to earn their place after the previous champions and runners-up were barred from the competition due to FIFA sanctions.
The match was tightly contested in the first half, with both teams unable to break the deadlock. Muras United had a golden opportunity to equalize in the 80th minute when they were awarded a penalty. However, their forward's effort struck the post and bounced away, keeping Fortis in the lead.
Fortis' goalkeeper Sujan Perera and the defense held strong in the closing stages, sustaining pressure from Muras United. This victory marks a significant milestone for Fortis, who celebrated their historic achievement with their fans at the final whistle.
