A sorry maiden campaign in the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) Asia Cup came to a befittingly dismal end for Minerva Punjab on Wednesday with the Indian side falling to a defeat to Abahani Dhaka in its final Group E fixture.
The late winner by Masih Saigani at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati consigned Minerva to only its first defeat in six Group E fixtures but it was a spate of five draws previously that had already decided the fortunes of the I-League outfit.
The 2017-18 I-League champions failed to cover themselves in glory in their continental debut with the side finishing above only Nepalese side Manang Marshyangdi in Group E.