While Group D remains tight, the gap between the top two and bottom two in Groups E and I already stands at six points, meaning some sides are facing being cut off at the foot of the standings.

The top spots in Groups F to H remain up for grabs, while every side except one maintains at least some hope of finishing in the top two and giving themselves a fighting chance of progressing to the knockout rounds.

With two games remaining, 11 of the 12 teams in Groups A to C remain in the hunt for four West Zone semi-final places ahead of what promises to be another intriguing round of fixtures.

Playing amidst rainy conditions in Guwahati, it was Aizawl who made the breakthrough as early as the fifth minute. The goal came after a bit of good fortune, as the ball ricocheted in off the shin of Aizawl's Ivorian striker Leonce Dodoz after a clearance from Bengaluru goalkeeper Lalthuammawia Ralte.

Bengaluru looked to get back on level terms straightaway, with both Erik Paartalu and Victor Perez coming close to equalising for Albert Roca's side only to see their efforts sail over the crossbar.

At the stroke of half-time, Bengaluru finally got the goal they needed. Daniel Segovia coolly slotted home his first goal for the club from a penalty that was awarded after Dodoz handled the ball in the box.

After the restart, Segovia was given the opportunity to put his side in the lead in the 53rd minute, when Bengaluru were awarded another spot-kick for a foul on Subhashish Bose. This time, however, the Spanish striker's effort crashed off the post and went out.

Fortunately for Bengaluru, they took the lead 10 minutes later through Rahul Bheke, who headed in Alwyn George's teasing cross. The visitors then went 3-1 up in the 77th minute, when substitute Daniel Lalhlimpuia sent a low strike past Aizawl custodian Avilash Paul.

The two teams have home games coming up on Matchday Three, with Bengaluru hosting New Radiant of Maldives, while Aizawl play Bangladesh's Abahani Limited Dhaka.

Played at the Ashgabat Stadium, the home side started the game on the front foot and took the lead in the 27th minute when Muhadow fired home with his left foot.

The 24-year-old doubled the lead for FC Ahal just six minutes later when Gurban Annayev dribbled into the box, before sliding the ball across for Muhadow to tap in for his brace.

The rout continued two minutes later when Guvanch scored his first of the night in fortuitous circumstances, after the ball rebounded to him when Annayev’s chip over Abduaziz Mahkamov hit the post.

Guvanch completed his brace midway through the second half when he got on the end of a ball over the top of the defence, controlling it perfectly before finishing past past Mahkamov.

Substitute Nuryagdy Muhammedow put the icing on the cake when he added a fifth for the home side deep into second half injury time.

Istiklol broke the deadlock in the 50th minute at Sport Toplumy when Nikolai Zenko bundled past a couple of lacklustre challenges before prodding the ball beyond the onrushing Mamed Orazmuhamedov.

The game looked beyond Altyn Asyr as the visitors doubled their lead from the penalty spot nine minutes later, Akhtam Nazarov converting from 12 yards after Sergei Tikhonovski had been fouled by Shohrat Soyunov.

Murat Yakshiyev pulled one back for Altyn Asyr from the edge of area in the 90th minute though, before Altymyrat Annadurdyyev completed the remarkable recovery three minutes later with a header from a corner.

The draw leaves things wide open in the group after two match days, with Istiklol and Altyn Asyr tied on four points and FC Ahal on three, while FC Alay of Kyrgyz Republic are yet to get on the board.

Each team’s next game comes on April 11, when Altyn Asyr are away to fellow Turkmenistan outfit FC Ahal and Istiklol host FC Alay.

The visitor nearly caused an early shock when Mohammed Mamun Miah spotted goalkeeper Lalthuammawia Ralte off his line and went for the spectacular, attempting an effort from near the halfway line, but his shot ended up just over the crossbar.

Bengaluru slowly grew into the match and had their best chance 10 minutes after the break when Asheer Akhtar crossed for Thongkhosiem Haokip whose first-time attempt went agonisingly close but missed the upright.

Following a well worked attacking build up, Alwyn George found space on the right wing to cross for Daniel Segovia whose cushioned header set up Lalhimpuia to fire home on the half volley, to register the only goal of the match for the Indian side.

Bengaluru’s next match sees them lock horns with fellow Indian side Aizawl on April 5 while the Bangladeshi side take their turn in travelling to Aizawl’s ground six days later.