Mumbai City FC beat Air Force club to become first Indian club to win in AFC Champions League

Mumbai City FC scripted history as they fought back from a goal down to stun Iraqi giants Air Force Club 2-1 and become the first Indian club to win a game in the top-tier AFC Asian Champions League.

Mumbai City FC rallied from behind to beat the Iraqi Air Force Club 2-1 in a 2022 AFC Champions League Group B tie as they became the first Indian club to register a win in the top-tier of the coveted tournament.

After conceding in the 59th minute of the group B fixture, Mumbai City, who won the Indian Super League Shield and trophy in the 2020-21 season, drew level with a penalty by Diego Mauricio in the 70th minute after he was brought down in the box.

Defender Rahul Bheke scored his team's crucial winning goal, with a header in the 75th minute following a corner on Monday night.

Mumbai had lost their opening match to Al Shabab 0-3.

After a goalless first half, substitute Hammadi Ahmad gave three-time AFC Cup champions Air Force Club the lead before Mumbai City rallied with goals from Maurício and Bheke to seal the historic win at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh.

Air Force Club asserted themselves in the game from the early minutes, pinning Mumbai City deep into their own half but the Iraqi side couldn't convert their chances.

Air Force Club's Alaa Abbas was causing all sorts of problems for Mumbai City but the forward should have done better in the ninth minute when his tame effort was easily collected by goalkeeper Phurba Lachenpa.