Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: The three groups in the West Zone of the AFC Cup are starting to take shape ahead of the 12 sides’ return to action for Matchday Four on Monday and Tuesday.
On Monday, the four teams in Group B take to the field, before Groups A and C resume on Tuesday in what could be a tournament-defining week for some of the clubs.
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Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Beirut: Two second-half-goals saw Lebanon’s Al Ahed and Syria’s Al Jaish split the honours in a 1-1 draw in Matchday Three of the AFC Cup Group B.
After a slow start to the game, Al Jaish moved into second gear and had the chunk of possession but failed to create real scoring opportunities.
Their biggest chance came in the 29th minute when Abdul-Malik Anizan struck on the half-volley from Ward Al Salama’s corner kick. Anizan’s effort was kept out by the fingertips of goalkeeper Mehdi Khalil who flew to tip it behind.
A lapse in concentration by the Lebanese defence allowed Anizan to play a quick throw-in behind the backline for substitute Mohamad Anez who crossed first time for Hassan Al Owied to head from close range handing Al Jaish the lead in the 56th minute.
As he did against Manama in Matchday Two, Ahmad Zreik scored for Al Ahed in the 71st minute.
The striker received Hussein Al Zein’s through pass and showed quick feet inside the box to dribble past two markers before finishing with the outside of his left footed into the bottom corner to bring the hosts level.
Al Jaish remain without a win in the competition as they play hosts to Al Ahed on Matchday Four next week.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Amman: Two headed goals from Anas Bani Yaseen and Lukasz Gikiewicz earned Al Faisaly a 2-0 win over Dhofar Club in their 2018 AFC Cup Group C tie on Monday.
Al Faisaly started on the front foot and nearly found the opener in the tenth minute when club captain Ahmed Hayel waltzed into the box and struck the crossbar with a left-footed effort from close distance.
The goal finally arrived at the tail end of the opening period as Bani Yaseen rose highest to head home Alban Meha’s corner-kick at the near post to put the hosts in front two minutes before the end of the first half.
Meha was the creator again as he sent a cross from the right flank for Polish striker Gikiewicz to double Al Faisaly’s lead four minutes into the restart.
Unbeaten Al Faisaly will be full of confidence as they travel south to Salalah where they will face Dhofar again at Al Saada Stadium on Matchday Four next week.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Manama: Reigning champions Air Force Club mounted an incredible comeback to record a 4-3 win over Bahrain’s Malkiya in their 2018 AFC Cup Group A tie on Monday.
Debutants Malkiya stunned their visitors to go 3-0 up inside the opening 15 minutes. First, it was Isa Al Bari who tapped in from point-blank range via a corner kick to open the scoring in the eighth minute.
Al Bari was on target again a minute later, after he got on to the end of Mustafa Mohammed’s back pass to round the keeper and slot into the empty net to make it 2-0.
The dream start continued with a third goal in the 14th minute. Syrian midfielder Israa Hamwia converted from a corner in similar fashion to Al Bari’s first goal to worsen Air Force’s struggles in the opening half.
The two-time champions recovery, however, got underway in the 28th minute through another Syrian international as Zahir Al Medani swept home Humam Tariq’s cross from a free-kick to reduce the margin.
Amjed Radhi gave the Iraqi side further hope, rifling in on a half-volley with 20 minutes to go. Ten minutes later, captain Hammadi Ahmed completed the comeback with well-struck finish from Radhi’s squared pass.
Air Force Club, however, were not finished as Radhi completed a thrilling night for the Iraqi side after latching on to Samal Saeed’s through pass and rounding the goalkeeper to finish into an empty net with practically the last kick of the game.