Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Karbala: Iraq's Al Zawraa secured an crucial 2-1 win over Bahrain's Manama in a postponed fixture of Matchday Three of the 2018 AFC Cup Group B on Monday.
The visitors started on the attack and their domination almost led Erick Luis to score the opener, but the Brazilian striker failed to net an impossible-to-miss chance from a close-range following Ahmed Moosa's pinpoint cross.
The first dangerous attempt from the hosts came in the 32nd minute as Mohannad Abdul Raheem received the ball from Hussein Ali inside the penalty area but the goalkeeper saved the day for Manama with a quick reflex save.
Five minutes before the break, Al Zawraa’s Mustafa Jawda found the back of the net, taking advantage of a defensive mix-up in the box after the Bahraini goalkeeper made a save at the far post, but Jawda tapped in from point-blank.
Ibrahim Bayesh doubled Al Zawraa's lead two minutes into the second half, applying a finish at the far post to meet Ali's cross from the right wing.
Manama found a consolation goal in the final minute of regular time after Ali Haram rose highest to head home Masood Qambar's cross from the corner kick, but his goal proved too little too late as the Iraqis sealed the three points.
Al Zawraa move level with Lebanon's Al Ahed on nine points at the top of the group ahead of Matchday Six's clash against Al Jaish, while the Lebanese side host Manama next week.