Rashid Sumaila’s Al Qadsia suffered their first defeat in the AFC Cup with a 2-0 loss away to Istiqlol on Wednesday.

Two second half strikes saw Al Qadsia cede pole position in Group C in Asia’s second tier club competition to the Tajikistani club in Dushanbe.

Sumaila’s Kuwaiti club are however well in it with a chance of progressing from the group with two rounds of matches left.

They are currently second with 7 points – the same as new leaders Istiqlol but just a point ahead of third placed Ahal.