AFC Challenge League - PS - Paro FC (BHU) 1-0 Abu Muslim Farah FC (AFG)

Thimphu: Paro FC captain Evans Asante scored in the dying seconds to give his side a 1-0 win over Abu Muslim Farah FC in their AFC Challenge League™ 2025/26 Preliminary Stage tie at the Changlimithang Stadium on Tuesday.

The win saw the home side make the Group Stage for the second successive time.

Both sides tested the waters in the first 20 minutes, with Abu Muslim having the lion’s share of possession.

The visitors’ Sardor Jakhonov had the first attempt at goal in the 24th minute when he struck a fine volley from 25 yards, forcing Paro keeper Jeffrey Baltus to punch the ball over the bar.

At the other end, Timothy Okereke came close in the 29th minute when he unleashed a long-range shot that had Abu Muslim custodian Ovays Azizi at full stretch.

Azizi again did well five minutes later when he kept out a free-kick by Omolaja Kareem from 30 yards that was headed towards goal.

Baltus pulled off a brilliant save in the 49th minute from Ali Panahi, who rounded a defender and drilled the ball from 18 yards only to see the keeper dive to his left to keep his effort out.

Both sides continued to push forward, but poor finishing and wayward passes on a wet pitch turned the match into a stop-and-start affair.

Assante then had the home crowd on their feet in the third minute of time added on when he received the ball in the penalty box, swerved past a defender and fired home past a diving Azizi.

PS - Paro FC (BHU) 1-0 Abu Muslim Farah FC (AFG)

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