Fortis FC and Bangladesh Police FC begin their AFC Challenge League campaigns today, with both clubs chasing a place in the group stage of Asia’s third-tier club competition.
Fortis face Kyrgyzstan’s Muras United at Bashundhara Kings Arena at 3pm, while Bangladesh Police meet Syrian side Al Ittihad Ahli of Aleppo at King Abdullah II Stadium in Amman at 11pm Bangladesh time.
The two clubs earned unexpected AFC opportunities after Bangladesh Football League champions Bashundhara Kings and runners-up Abahani failed to secure club licensing.
Fortis finished third and Police fourth last season. Now both have a chance to step onto the Asian stage.
Fortis face the tougher immediate test on paper. Muras reached the semi-finals of the previous Challenge League campaign and already know how to win in Bangladesh. They defeated Abahani 2-0 in Dhaka during their run to the group stage.
Fortis coach Masud Parvez Kaiser accepts the gap between domestic and continental football but believes his players can compete.
“Initially, we were not ready for the competition,” Kaiser said. “But we tried to utilise the time we got to prepare after suddenly getting the opportunity.”
Fortis lost seven players during the summer but rebuilt the squad with eight foreign players and two loan signings from Abahani.
Kaiser also highlighted the club’s record against Bangladesh’s established sides. Fortis have regularly caused problems for the domestic heavyweights despite lacking current national-team players.
“We are ready for the 90-minute match and will try our level best to enter the next stage,” he said.
Muras hold one clear advantage. They played a domestic match four days ago, while Fortis have gone two months without competitive football.
“We have been out of competitive matches for the last two months,” Kaiser said.
Muras coach Edmar De Lacerda expects a difficult contest and described Fortis as “a good team”. He also dismissed concerns over Bangladesh’s heat and humidity.
For Bangladesh Police, the challenge comes against Al Ittihad Ahli, the seven-time Syrian league champions and winners of the 2010 AFC Cup.
