SINGAPORE - Tampines Rovers' task of advancing to the semi-finals of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup suffered a setback as they lost 0-1 to India's Bengaluru FC in their first-leg quarter-final clash on Wednesday (Sept 14).

The match in Bangalore was played behind closed doors at Sree Kanteerava Stadium due to unrest in the Indian city. But the absence of home crowd support did not bother the hosts, as forward C.K. Vineeth scored from short range to put the I-League champions in front in the seventh minute.

After conceding the early goal, Akbar Nawas' men suffered a further blow when stalwart Fahrudin Mustafic was stretchered off after taking a knock in the 21st minute.

The host continued to attack and pressed hard to extend the lead but the Stags kept their defence held firm to prevent further goals and the S-League side will seek to overturn the one-goal deficit at the return leg at Jalan Besar Stadium on Sept 21.