Fortis FC are targeting an opening-day upset against Kuwaiti heavyweights Al Qadsia SC as the Bangladesh Football League side begin their AFC Challenge League Group C campaign at Mohammed Al-Hamad Stadium on Saturday.
The match kicks off at 11:30pm, with Fortis hoping to turn their first group-stage appearance into a genuine push for the quarter-finals. The Dhaka-based club face a tough opening assignment against an opponent with greater experience in Asian competition and a squad featuring foreign players from Morocco, Egypt, Oman and Ivory Coast.
Fortis secured their place in the group stage with a 1-0 victory over Kyrgyzstan’s Muras United in the preliminary round. They finished third in last season’s BFL and are now aiming to carry that domestic form into continental competition.
Reaching the knockout stage would be a significant achievement for Fortis. Abahani were the only Bangladeshi club to reach that stage of the AFC Cup in 2019, the predecessor to the current AFC Challenge League format. Fortis will compete in the West region, where group winners and the best runners-up from the three groups can progress.
Head coach Masud Parvez Kaiser believes the opening matches will determine whether his side can remain in contention. He has made clear that Fortis are not in Kuwait merely to gain experience.
“The first two matches are crucial if we want to progress to the quarter-finals,” Kaiser told The Daily Star from Kuwait. “We are playing for all three points. Leaving empty-handed will make the remaining matches very difficult.”
Al Qadsia, currently second in the Kuwaiti top flight, are favourites on paper. But Kaiser believes his players can challenge them if they remain disciplined and take their chances.
“Al-Qadsia are a good opponent, but they are not unbeatable. Our players are convinced they can secure the points if we minimise our own mistakes and capitalise on our chances,” he said.
Kaiser is considering fielding all nine foreign players available to him, a decision that could help Fortis match the hosts’ international experience. The team will need to balance that attacking ambition with defensive organisation against a side expected to pose a demanding test.
Fortis arrived in Kuwait on Tuesday to acclimatise to the local conditions and have completed three training sessions. The heat has been a consideration during preparations, although Kaiser expects temperatures to fall significantly by the evening kick-off, which is scheduled for 8:30pm local time.
The team also expect support from Bangladeshi expatriates in Kuwait. Kaiser said members of the community had shown considerable interest in attending the match and cheering on Fortis.
That backing could provide a boost as the club begin a campaign that offers an opportunity to raise their profile beyond domestic football. But the immediate challenge is clear: Fortis must avoid costly mistakes, make the most of their chances and produce a disciplined performance to take points from one of Kuwait’s leading clubs.
For Kaiser and his players, a positive result would provide a valuable start to their bid for the knockout stage.
