Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Doha: Air Force Club started their AFC Cup title defence with a 2-2 home draw against Jordanian side Al Jazeera in Group A on Monday.
Hammadi Ahmed, the 2016 AFC Cup top goal scorer, broke free behind the Jordanian defence and rounded goalkeeper Abdullah Al Zubi before the latter brought him down to concede a 16th minute penalty kick and receive his marching orders. Ahmed stepped up and converted from the spot for Air Force’s opener.
Ten minutes later, roles were reversed, and it was Al Jazeera’s Musa Al Taamari who was tripped by goalkeeper Fahad Talib inside the box, earning the latter a red card. The striker emulated Ahmed in taking the penalty kick himself and equalised for the Jordanian side.
The Iraqi side thought they had found the winner when Salih Sadir unleashed a powerful drive from 30-yards-out that nestled into the back of the net five minutes from time.
Al Taamari was again the target of a tackle inside Air Force’s box, drawing the third penalty of the night in the dying minutes. Syrian striker Mardik Mardikian powered in from the spot to earn his team a valuable point at the start of the campaign.