Late goals sunk Bangladesh's chances to reach the AFC Challenge Cup finals when they gave up a 1-0 lead to lose 2-1 against Kyrgyzstan yesterday.
Bangladesh were in a must win situation against the hosts in the last Group C qualifier and striker Zahid Hasan Emily raised hopes when he put the visitors ahead after 63 minutes at the Spartak Stadium in Bishkek.
But forward Roman Kornilov cancelled the lead in the 83rd minute before defender Ruslan Sydykov sealed the victory for Kyrgyzstan four minutes later.
The result meant dark-horse Afghanistan qualified for the 8-team finals as group champions with four points following a goalless draw against Bangladesh and a stunning 1-0 defeat of favourites Kyrgyzstan who finished second with three points.
Bangladesh, who hosted the inaugural Challenge Cup in 2006, were left in the cold with one point.
So far, Bangladesh's South Asian rivals Sri Lanka and Afghanistan have made it to the July 30-August 10 final rounds to be played in Hyderabad, where they join automatic qualifiers North Korea, Turkmenistan, Myanmar and hosts India.
On a warm evening at the Kyrgyz capital, unlike Bangladesh's opening match when the weather was cooler, the home side got better midway thought the first half.
As Zakirov later confessed, his men were not motivated well after losing all chances to progress but Kyrgyzstan started pouring with attacks. Hurshid Lutfullaev was left alone with rival keeper Aminul in the area in the 22nd minute but his shot sailed over the crossbar.
Ruslan Djamshidov's powerful shot in the 45th minute was foiled by Bangladesh keeper Aminul who was forced to make another fine save on an effort from Igor Kudrenko.
Bangladesh got their first chance when Emily got behind the rival backline but his close-range drive went straight to the Kyrgyz goaltender.
The second half started with Kyrgyzstan changing formation to a more attacking 4-3-3 as Bangladesh settled rather defensively.
Kudrenko's freekick from close flew just over the bar six minutes after resumption and the hosts paid for missing too many chances as Bangladesh scored from a counter attack when Emily headed the ball past Vladislav Volkov at the opposition goal.
With huge chanting from the crowd, Kyrgyzstan came close to equalise in the 66th minute when substitute Roman Kornilov burst inside but failed to keep his effort under the bar.
With the final whistle approaching, Kyrgyzstan went all out and having almost all ten players near the Bangladesh penalty box paid dividend when Kornilov placed home through a forest of legs during a melee.
Four minutes later, an overlapping Sydykov met a high ball from Lutfullaev and nodded home the match winner.
Kyrgyz coach Nematjan Zakirov said he still "felt devastated" despite the win.
"We had to progress to the final round. We had the best team. I am glad with today's win, though having tears in my eyes," said Zakirov after the match.
"I had very high expectations before this tournament. I will continue working for the development of our football and the national team. We have to develop physically to play better in the tournaments," said Bangladesh coach Abu Yusuf.
Afghanistan coach Klaus Staerk, who was among the spectators, said he was "very happy".
"This is the first time Afghanistan won a group in any kind of tournament and this is a big step for the development of Afghan football," Staerk said after the game.
Yellow cards: Rajani, Mamun, Maruf, Aminul (Bangladesh) and Bokoev, Djamshidov, Cholponbek (Kyrgyzstan).
TEAMS
Bangladesh: Aminul, Hasan Al Mamun (Maruf 64th), Rajani, Ariful, Waly, Arup, Zahed Parvez (Robin, 46th), Arman Aziz, Mamun, Ujjal and Emily.
Kyrgyzstan: Volkov, Sydykov, Samsaliev (Cholponbek 43rd), Kniazev, Kudrenko, Bakytbek, Bokoev (Amirov 67th), Djamshidov (Kornilov), Berezovsky, Lufullaev and Bokoev.