Arbil: Continental football returns to Iraq for the first time since 2013 on Monday after four years of conflict-enforced absence.
On May 15, 2013, the city of Arbil hosted the last AFC Cup tie on Iraqi soil so it is appropriate that the Franso Hariri Stadium will once again be the venue, this time for the AFC Cup Zonal semi-final between Group B winners Air Force Club and Al Zawraa, winners of Group A. .
Air Force Club
Defending champions Air Force Club are looking to retain the title they won last year when the defeated India’s JSW Bengaluru in the 2016 AFC Cup final, and the Iraqis return to the knockout stage unbeaten after posting three wins and three draws in Group B.
Despite their status of AFC Cup holders, Air Force Club by no means ran away with the group this time round, and were indebted to a 1-0 Matchday Six win away at Bahrain’s Al Hidd to ensure their title defence did not end prematurely.
Amjed Rahdi scored the only goal in Riffa and the 26-year-old currently leads the scoring for his side in the AFC Cup so far.
Radhi’s performances have been particularly important with last year’s tournament top scorer Hammadi Ahmed yet to return to his 2016 form.
Air Force Club’s defence has also been impressive, with just two goals conceded in six games.
Al Zawraa
Air Force Club’s compatriots Al Zawraa posted an identical record in Group A after three wins and three draws, although there was a little more breathing room at the top with Syria’s Al Jaish finishing three points behind in second.
Al Zawraa’s back-to-back wins over Al Jaish on Matchdays Three and Four were among the Iraqi club’s best performances in the group stage, having outscored the Syrians 6-1 over the two games.
Mohanad Abdulraheem has been called the heir apparent to Iraq icon Younis Mahmoud and the young striker showed why with four goals so far in this year’s AFC Cup.
Ably aided and abetted by club captain and Iraq team Alaa Abdul Zahra, Al Zawraa post plenty of weapons going forward.
Ones To Watch:
Suspensions: Sameh Saeed (Air Force Club)
Air Force Club vs Al Zawraa
Venue: Franso Hariri Stadium, Arbil City
Kick-off: May 22, 18:00 UTC+3
Photos: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com