AFC CUP: Know Bengaluru FC’s Final opponent

by Chittu Shetty November 3, 2016

Riding on goal machine Hammadi Ahmed, Al Quwa Al Jawiya has reached the finals of AFC cup in their first attempt in competition itself, decimating most of their opponent.

The 2016 AFC Cup final will be a witness to a significant moment for both India and Iraq as no club from either side has managed to win the Asian club title previously. Air force club themselves have played in AFC Champions league thrice failing in Group stage every time. While no Indian club has managed to reach the AFC cup finals prior to Bengaluru FC, Iraq’s Arbil has reached this position twice but failed at both times to lift the title.

Air Force Club, also known by their Arabic name Al Quwa Al Jawiya is the oldest club from Iraq found in 1931. Like their opponent, Air Force Club has reached the finals for the first time. This being their maiden Campaign, their run all through the tournament has been pretty much smooth with just one loss, two draws and eight wins.

They started out topping their group winning five out of their six matches and scoring 15 goals in the process, while conceding just seven. In the round of 16, they comfortably edged past Al-Wehdat of Jordan 2-1, before routing out 5-1 against former winners Al Jaish of Syria in the two legged quarter-finals affair.

In the first leg of the semi-finals against Al Ahed of Lebanon, Air force couldn’t make use of home advantage as visitors went away with a crucial away goal advantage with a 1-1 score. In the second leg Air force were in deep trouble and looked like heading out of competition when they trailed their opponent 2-1 with just 20 minutes to go however Al Ahed defender Nour Mansour’s own goal put Air Force Club back ahead on away goals before Bashar Resan strike sealed the deal for the Iraqi side.

Also Read: Sunday Special: Bengaluru FC – The Untold Journey

Now, In the final at Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha the Iraqi side will face Indian Champions Bengaluru FC, who against all expectation reached the finals defeating Singaporean Champions Tampine rovers in Quarterfinals and defending champions Johor Darul Ta’zim of Malaysia in the last four to become the first-ever Indian club to reach an AFC cup final.

Air Force will be without the service of midfielder Bashar Resan and Forward Samal Saeed for the game after they picked up a red and a second yellow card respectively. But mercurial striker Hammadi Ahmed will be the man to look out for Bengaluru FC
Player Watch:

Hammadi Ahmed

The Iraq international has been in terrific form this season scoring in every match of the cup tournament he has played so far. Suspended for the first leg of the semis, Hammadi has been on score sheet in all the other matches he has played for Air Force Club.

The Iraq international striker looks set to take away the competition’s Golden Boot award with 15 goals to his name, seven more than second placed Safiq Rehman(JDT) and Adrain Gallardo (Ceres F.C.).