Fortis drawn with India's FC Goa in tough group

Fortis FC have been placed in a demanding group for the AFC Challenge League group stage after Thursday's draw in Kuala Lumpur, joining India's FC Goa, Kuwait's Qadsia SC and Tajikistan's Regar-TadAZ in Group C, with Qadsia hosting the matches.

The draw, held on Thursday, pits Fortis against three considerably more established sides.

FC Goa remain one of Indian football's most recognisable clubs, Qadsia carry a long tradition in Kuwaiti football, and Regar-TadAZ are regarded as one of Tajikistan's top-level teams.

Fortis reached the group stage by beating Kyrgyzstan's Muras United 1-0 in the preliminary round, becoming Bangladesh's sole representative at this stage of the competition.

Police FC, the country's other entrant, were eliminated after losing to Syria's Al Ittihad Ahli.

Bangladesh will still have a familiar face on show elsewhere in the tournament, with national team defender Tariq Kazi turning out for Bhutan's Paro FC.

His side also progressed through the preliminary round to reach the group stage.

Paro were drawn into Group A and will host their own matches, facing Turkmenistan's Ahal FC, Lebanon's Al Ansar FC and Syria's Al Ittihad Ahli, the same side that ended Police FC's continental campaign in the previous round.