The skillful visitors struggled in the first half, taking a 1-0 lead against the run of play but comfortably sealed three points against a 10-man Muktijoddha after star defender Rajani got the marching order three minutes into the second half.

Fresh after a creditable draw against Kolkata giants East Bengal last week the Reds looked the likely team to struck the first salvo in front of two thousand home crowd with Belal terrorising the Al Faisaly defence with his trademark long throws. And it was in the 12th minute when his menacing throw from the left side sailed over the giant Al Faisaly wall to find unmarked striker Kanchan, whose header hit the sidebar much to the horror of his coach Shafiqul Islam Manik.

After surviving the close shave the Jordan league champions, who fielded six national caps and an Iraqi international, took the lead in the 37th minute through a scorching volley by Salim Monsour.

After meeting a cross from Hatem Iqbal at the right side of the box, Mansour fired a right-footed side volley that crushed into the far corner giving no chance to national and Muktijoddha custodian Aminul.

Despite the late first-half goal Muktijoddha promised a lot. But the Federation Cup champions irrevocably lost the battle when their 'Wall' Rajani received a second yellow card following an aerial tackle with his knee dangerously fixed on Shamoun -- an offence that also earned him the first yellow.

The departure of Rajani left an irreparable hole at the right-hand side and there was no stopping of a series of Al Faisaly attacks.

Muktijoddha's make-shift rightback Safiul Islam looked like a fish out of water and Belal apart from those throws rarely showed his defensive skills. Although Aminul had to work overtime along with Ghanaian defender Ghansha, the defence finally fell apart in the 63rd minute when Faisaly striker Al Maharmeh stabbed the ball home off a pass by Iraqi midfielder Akram Shamoun who received a fine chip from speedy left-winger Khaled Maltaah.

Woodwork saved the Muktijo-ddha four minutes later when Hussein Ziad shot the ball onto the crossbar, inspiring the home side to go for a last gasp effort to reduce the margin.

Arman, the only player to earn the foreigners' recognition with his dazzling sway and immaculate passing, set Titu free at the left flank in the 34th minute. Titu's brilliant through caught Faisaly defenders off-guard but Kanchan's placing shot from point-blank range was blocked by the rushing keeper. A minute later, Kanchan nodded Arman's perfect cross over the bar to spoil another golden chance.

Another concerted move down the left saw the visitors snatch a third goal when substitute Siraj Ahmed put the ball into an empty net following hard works by Ziad and Qusal Abu.

Muktijoddha coach Manik admitted that his boys paid the price for missing early chances and Rajani's sending off in the second half.

"We created enough first half chances but paid for not utilising any of those. It is very difficult to be competitive against a strong team like Faisaly with ten men. I think Rajani should have been more careful," rued Manik after the match.

Defending his decision to field attacking midfielder Saiful as right back, he said that he had no options as specialist fullbacks Hassan Al Mamun and Titu were both injured.

"Titu was half fit and I could only use him as a substitute. Saiful has played at this place before. Actually, our defence was totally shattered after Rajani's sent-off. Considering the strength of our opposition, the result is acceptable but the way we played, we should have scored at least one or two goals," he added.

Muktijoddha will travel to Turkmenistan next month to play Nebitchi, who snatched a 1-1 away draw against Faisaly in the first round.

Faisaly coach Nasser Hussein Alodali admitted that his side could not produce 100 percent on the field due to long journeys and a busy roster.

"We had to play 10 matches in 35 days and you have to consider the fact. The first half was fifty-fifty but Muktijoddha looked down in the second half," Alodali said.

All the Faisaly goals came from left flank moves and the coach praised Ziad and Maltaah's efforts at the wing. He also applauded Arman's performance in the Muktijoddha midfield.

Red card: Rajani (Muktijoddha)

Yellow cards: Maltaah, Mansour, Siraj (Faisaly) and Moni (Mukti-joddha).

TEAMS
Al Faisaly: Sabbah, Zuahir, Shuaibat, Khamees, Aqel, Shamoun, Qusal, Maltaah, Ziad, Mansour (Siraj, 69th minute) and Maharmeh (Nassar, 88th).

Muktijoddha: Aminul, Harry, Rajani, Ghansah, Saiful, Arman, Pappu (Titu, 56th), Biddyut, Belal (Amin Rana, 70th), Moni and Kanchan (Rony, 82nd).

Referee: Napitupulu Jimmy (Indonesia).