Mohammad Ibrahim scored the stunning goal as Fortis FC of Bangladesh secured their AFC Challenge League Group Stage berth after defeating Kyrgyz Republic’s Muras United 1-0 at the Bashundhara Kings Arena on Tuesday.

Fortis broke the deadlock after a goalless first half with Mohammad Ibrahim scoring off a wonderful layoff from Pa Omar Babou to seal the win.

Fortis, who are featuring in the tournament for the first time, almost made a fine start in the opening minute when Pa Omar Babou found space at the top of the area before drilling a powerful shot wide.

The Gambian forward was in the thick of the action three minutes later, bursting down the flank before floating the ball into the box that the Muras defence cleared to safety.

Muras United responded in the sixth minute, Hlib Hrachov rising to meet a corner but steering his header wide before the contest burst into life in the 22nd minute with Babou seeing his shot pushed onto the left post by Muras goalkeeper Orest Kostyk.

Fortis continued to look dangerous on the counter, with Babou again at the heart of the action in the 31st minute, only to blaze his effort well over the bar.

Muras threatened in the closing stages of the half, Amir Zhaparov’s dangerous delivery into the box was punched clear by Fortis goalkeeper Sujan Perera before Thomas Agyepong saw his long-range effort sail over the bar as the sides went into the break goalless.

Muras came close to breaking the deadlock in the 47th minute when Islam Yunusov drilled a low effort from inside the box past the sprawling Sujan Perera, only to see the ball flash narrowly wide of the left post.

Perera was called into action again in the 52nd minute, standing firm to deny Erbol Atabayev from close range.

Fortis, however, made their next opportunity count. Babou powered through the centre before slipping a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Ibrahim, who kept his composure to finish calmly past Kostyk.

Kostyk had to be at his best three minutes later, first denying Babou following a corner before producing another fine save to palm away Arik Bista’s curling effort from distance.

Muras should have restored parity in the 59th minute when Amir Zhaparov laid the ball perfectly into the path of Nursultan Toktonaliev but the midfielder blazed his effort over the bar.

Fortis survived a scare in the 75th minute after they conceded a penalty only for Atabayev to strike his spot-kick against the left post as the Bangladesh side held on to seal the win.