AFC Cup | Despite last-gasp winner, Chennaiyin FC fail to qualify for knockout stage

Chennaiyin FC worked hard as they scored a last-minute goal against Manang Marshyangdi of Nepal 3-2 in their final group match. Mohammed Rafi struck an 88th-minute winner after the two sides were locked 2-2. However, the 2017 ISL winners failed to secure a knock-out berth in the AFC Cup despite picking up 11 points at the end of the group stage. Bangladesh’s Abahani Limited Dhaka clinched a top spot after beating Minerva Punjab 1-0 in the other Group E tie in Guwahati.

The Chennai-based side were hoping for either a win or a draw as Minerva went up against Abahani to book a knock-out berth but the Dhaka side scored an injury time goal register a 1-0 win and break Chennaiyin hearts.

Chennaiyin finished second in the group with 11 points from six matches while Abahani ended on top with 13 points to advance to the knock-out stage. On the same points, Chennaiyin would have gone through as they have a better head-head record against Abahani.