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Mohun Bagan failed to convert the chances that came their way and Al Kuwait SC rode on a Samer JAS Almartah strike to register a 1-0 victory in the Group D AFC Cup match at Howrah Municipal Corporation Stadium in Kolkata on Tuesday.
Bagan clearly dominated the first-half with better ball possession, but the visitors did well to acclimatize to the hot and sultry conditions and score the all-important goal through Almartah in the 61st minute.
The Kuwaitis thus kept their slate clean, and, with seven points from three matches, remain at the top.
Mohun Bagan are at the bottom of the table, without a point after three matches.
A free-kick in the 60th minute set the ball rolling for the Kuwaitis after Ishfaq Ahmed brought down striker Farag Laheeb right on the edge of the box.
From the free-kick the ball traveled to Almartah, who found the mark with a delightful right back-heel.
Down 0-1, Karim Bencherifa-coached Bagan tried their best in the second-half but lacked penetration.
If their captain Baichung Bhutia is to be blamed for missing a golden opportunity in the first-half, Ishfaq Ahmed wasted another sitter in the 76th minute as the local side failed to make use of the home advantage.