AFC Cup Zonal Semi-final spots confirmed in West and ASEAN Zones

Clubs from Iraq, Syria and Jordan progressed from Groups A to C in the West while the Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore provided the ASEAN qualifiers from Groups F to H as the tables reached a thrilling climax.

West Zone

The four sides from Group C took centre stage on Monday with group leaders Al Muharraq of Bahrain travelling to second-placed Al Wehdat of Jordan needing just a point to top the standings.

But unbeaten Al Wehdat have been in formidable form in front of their home fans and ran out 3-2 winners thanks to Baha Faisal’s decisive strike to advance as group winners and leave their opponents sweating on other results in their quest to progress as the best-placed runner-up in the West.

Oman’s Saham Club, meanwhile, defeated Lebanon’s Nejmeh SC 3-1 to finish third in the standings after the battle of the two eliminated sides.

A late Alaa Abdul Zahra penalty secured a 1-1 draw for Al Zawraa with already eliminated Al Ahli of Jordan a day later as the Iraqi side claimed the point they needed to wrap up top spot in Group A.

A win for second-placed Al Jaish over bottom side Al Suwaiq of Oman would have guaranteed the Syrian team a place in the Zonal Semi-finals as either group winners or the highest-placed runner-up. A surprise 2-1 reversal, however, meant the early pacesetters in the group were ousted.

Another Syrian side, Al Wahda, stormed to a 6-0 victory over bottom team Safa SC of Lebanon to temporarily move top of Group B, two points ahead of Bahrain’s Al Hidd and defending champions Air Force Club of Iraq, who would meet in Tuesday’s later game.

And it was Amjed Radhi’s second-half header that secured top spot for the holders, while Al Wahda pipped both Al Muharraq and compatriots Al Jaish to claim the fourth and final berth in the Zonal Semi-finals.

Fixtures

Air Force Club v Al Suwaiq (1st leg - May 15 / 2nd leg - May 29)
Al Wahda v Al Wehdat (1st leg - May 16 / 2nd leg - May 30)

ASEAN Zone