Play-by-Play: Bengaluru FC fall short of historic AFC Cup triumph by a solitary goal

THEY BATTLED HARD, went toe to toe with a technically superior, more experienced side, but went down by a solitary goal. Bengaluru FC's AFC Cup dream got cut just short of success as they went down to Iraq's Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya 1-0 at Doha.

It was the Iraqi side that were more attacking from the beginning. They kept more of the ball and created more chances. But Bengaluru FC kept their shape and defended relentlessly, and hardly ever seemed uncomfortable. The first half ended goalless.

Early in the second half BFC showed some initiative through a quicker passing game and at one point seemed to be taking a bit more control of proceedings, but right at that time Amjed Radhi managed to find some space and invaded the BFC box. He managed to find striker Hammadi Ahmed who knocked it in from close range. Nearly 70 minutes in, the Iraqi club had broken the deadlock and taken a lead.

Towards the end of the game Bengaluru FC created some chances. Sunil Chhetri and Rino Anto both had chances but could not convert. Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya defended fiercely and made sure they kept the lead till the end of the game.

For Iraqi football, this is a historic moment as one of their clubs has won an AFC competition for the first time ever. Bengaluru FC have fallen short but they can be proud of the record-setting run they have had in the competition and set milestones for Indian football.

You can re-live this historic game through our elaborate real-time coverage of the match as the action unfolded in Doha...