East Bengal down Selangor in AFC Cup
Malaysia Super League giants Selangor's 2013 AFC Cup campaign got off to a miserable start as they fell to a 1-0 loss at East Bengal on Wednesday.
Making their return to continental competition after a two-year absence, the Red Giants started slowly at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium, allowing their Indian opponents to dominate proceedings, and they were lucky not to fall behind as Penn Orji, Chidi Edeh and Andrew Barisic all wasted excellent chances.
Nonetheless, the deadlock was duly broken two minutes before the break when Lalrindika Ralte found space after good work by Edeh and fired an effort in off the bar past a hapless Norazlan Razali.
Selangor looked a much better side after the break but were just unable to find the equaliser, as East Bengal held on for a valuable three points.
In Wednesday's other game, Vietnam's SHB Da Nang recorded a gritty 2-1 win over Ayeyawady United of Myanmar.
Romanian defender Sabin Cosmin Goia opened the scoring in the 43rd minute when he fired Da Nang into the lead, before Sebastian Gaston Merlo doubled their lead ten minutes after the break when he headed home a right-wing cross from Danny Mrwanda.
Ayeyawady managed to pull one back in the 89th minute when substitute Nay Lin Tun scored from close range, but it proved to be a mere consolation for the reigning MFF Cup champions.
Wednesday's AFC Cup Results
Group G
SHB Da Nang 2-1 Ayeyawady United
Group H
East Bengal 1-0 Selangor