Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Iraq's Air Force Club will have no need for motivation when they begin their AFC Cup title defence in 2018. Having won the title in the last two seasons, the Falcons will be charged up as they go in search of a historic third successive title.
Since the inception of the tournament in 2004, no club has ever won three AFC Cup titles on the trot. Jordan's Al Faisaly came close, but lost to rivals Shabab Al Ordon in the 2007 final after having won the previous two editions.
Air Force Club could be looking at a monumental 2018 if they manage to write their name in the history books. The Baghdad-based side, who are also the reigning Iraqi champions, will not be lacking in belief after they successfully defended their continental title this year following a challenging campaign.
Despite finishing as unbeaten toppers of Group B, Air Force's road to the 2017 AFC Cup final was far from straightforward. Going into the final matchday in the group stage, Air Force found themselves in danger of being eliminated in the event of a defeat to Bahrain's Al Hidd.
Fortunately for them, Amjed Radhi stepped up in the 71st minute to score the lone goal and ensure that Air Force reached the West Asia Zonal semi-finals.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Reigning AFC Cup champions Air Force Club from Iraq have been handed a potentially difficult start to their title defence following the official draw for the competition’s 2018 edition in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday.
With the AFC Cup continuing to be split into zones, Air Force Club - who last month defeated Tajikistan’s FC Istiklol to claim a second successive continental crown - find themselves in West Asia’s Group A, where they will have Malkiya Club from Bahrain, Jordan’s Al Jazeera and a yet to be determined Play-off winner for company.
Meanwhile, defeated finalists Istiklol will look to make amends for their 2017 disappointment when they begin their latest title assault from Group D in the Central Zone. They will face FC Alay from Kyrgyzstan, the Central Zone’s Play-off winner and a representative from Turkmenistan.
The fixtures for the Preliminary and Play-off stages – as well as the clubs competing in them – were also finalised at the event.
Draw Results
West Asia Zone
Group A
Malkiya Club (BHR)
Al Jazeera (JOR)
Air Force Club (IRQ)
Winner of PO WEST 3 (OMA/PLE)
Group B
Al Ahed (LIB)
Manama Club (BHR)
Al Jaish (SYR)
Al Zawraa Club (IRQ)
Group C
Al Faisaly or AL Wendat (JOR)
Al Ansar FC (LIB)
Dhofar Club (OMA)
Al Wahda (SYR)
Central Zone
Group D
FC Istiklol (TJK)
Turkmenistan 1st Club
FC Alay (KGZ)
PO - winner (TJK/TKM/KGZ)
South Zone
Group E
Aizwl FC (IND) or Mohun Bagan (IND)
New Radiant SC (MDV)
Bangladesh 1st Club
PO - Winner (IND/MDV/BHU)
ASEAN ZONE
Group F
Philippines 1st Club or 3rd club
Home United FC (SIN)
Shan United (MYA) or Yadanarbon FC (MYA)
Winner of PO Asean 3 (LAO/CAM)
Group G
Bali United FC (IDN) or Madura United (IDN)
Philippines 2nd Club
FLC Than Hoa (VIE) or Hanoi FC (VIE)
Yangon United FC (MYA)
Group H
Tampines Rovers (SIN) or Geylang International FC (SIN)
Persija Jakarta (IDN)
Johor Darul Ta'zim (MAS) or Selangor FA (MAS)
Song Lam Nghe An FC (VIE)
South Zone
Group I
4.25 SC (PRK)
Hang Yuen FC (TPE)
Benfica Macau (MAC)
PO - Winner (PRK/MNG)
Preliminary Stage and Play-off Stage Match Schedule
West Play-off
22 January - Hilal Alquds Club (PLE) vs. Al Suwaiq (OMA)
29 January - Al Suwaiq (OMA) vs. Hilal Alqudsclub (PLE)
Manama Club (BHR) & Al Ansar FC (LIB) – receive bye to AFC Cup 2018 Group Stage
ASEAN Play-off
22 January - Cambodia 1st club vs. Philippines 2nd Club
29 January - Philippines 2nd Club vs. Cambodia 1st Club
22 January - Lao Toyota FC (LAO) vs.Home United FC (SIN)
29 January - Home United FC (SIN) vs.Lao Toyota FC (LAO)
Yangon United FC (MYA) – receive bye to AFC Cup 2018 Group Stage
Central Preliminary
January 23 - Dordoi FC (KGZ) vs. Turkmenistan 2nd Club
January 30 – Turkmenistan 2nd Club vs.Dordoi FC (KGZ)
Central Play-off
February 13 - Winner PS 2 vs. FC Khujand
February 20 - FC Khujand (TJK) vs. Winner PS 2
South Preliminary
January 23 – Transport United (BHU) vs. JSW Bengaluru FC (IND)
January 30 – JSW Bengaluru FC (IND) vs.Transport United (BHU)
January 23 – Bangladesh 2nd Club vs. Maldives 2nd Club
January 30 - Maldives 2nd Club vs. Bangladesh 2nd Club
South Play-off
February 13 - Winner PS 2 vs. Winner PS 1
February 20 - Winner PS 1 vs. Winner PS 2
East Play-off
February 13 - Erchim FC (MNG) vs. Hwaepul SC (PRK)
February 20 - Hwaepul SC (PRK) vs Erchim FC (MNG)
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: The-AFC.com has announced that Nazmi Faiz of Johor Darul Ta'zim is the winner the 2017 AFC Cup Goal of the Tournament presented by Allianz following a public vote amongst the fans on the AFC’s social media networks.
Below are the four nominated strikes from the 2017 AFC Cup tournament, with the winner in bold.
Watch the video below for Nazmi's winning effort as well as the three other goals that made our shortlist.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: After an exciting conclusion to the 2017 AFC Cup competition on Saturday, the-AFC.com is pleased to announce the nominations for the 2017 AFC Cup Goal of the Tournament presented by Allianz with the winner decided by public vote amongst the fans on the AFC’s social media networks.
The four selected goals are as follows:
Watch the video below and place your vote at the AFC Cup’s official Facebook or Twitter accounts and the winner will be announced in the coming days.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Hisor: Air Force Club have now competed in two AFC Cups and won them both after Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Tajikistan’s FC Istiklol in the final confirmed the Iraqi side as champions for the second successive year.
But, in stark contrast to the team that bagged 27 goals en route to the title last year, the Baghdad club’s success in the 2017 edition has been built on solidity at the back, and so it proved again at Hisor Central Stadium as the hosts lost their second final in three years.
Istiklol find no way past
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Hisor: Air Force Club striker Emad Mohsin labelled his side’s 2017 AFC Cup title win “a historic achievement” as the Iraqi club successfully defended their title.
Mohsin netted the winner as Air Force Club overcame Tajikistan’s Istiklol at Hisor Central Stadium in Saturday’s final.
His third goal of the campaign finished a swift attacking move with a left-footed half-volley to hand the team a valuable 1-0 victory.
The visitors were on the backfoot for extended spells of the first half and defended for their lives before turning the tie around after the restart and dominating the second half.
Their attacking intent was rewarded by Mohsin’s 68th minute strike after club captain Hammadi Ahmed had missed a penalty kick 14 minutes earlier.
“We were not so good in the first half, but after the break we regrouped and put in a much better performance. We missed a penalty kick but eventually scored the all-important goal,” commented Mohsin on his team’s performance on the night.
“It is a historic achievement for us and for Iraqi football. I am delighted that we were able to bring joy to our fans back in Iraq.”
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Hisor: Emad Mohsin struck the only goal of the game as Iraq’s Air Force Club retained their AFC Cup title following a 1-0 victory over Tajikistan’s FC Istiklol in the final at Hisor Central Stadium on Saturday.
After a goalless first half, Air Force Club spurned a glorious opportunity to take the lead shortly after the restart as captain Hammadi Ahmed’s penalty was saved by Nikola Stosic.
But Mohsin then fired home a stunning effort midway through the half and the hosts were unable to respond as Air Force Club claimed back-to-back titles and relegated Istiklol to a second runners-up spot in three years.
The defending champions started brightly and almost opened the scoring in the sixth minute when Syrian midfielder Zaher Al Medani headed against the woodwork from Humam Tareq’s corner from the left.
After spending much of the first 20 minutes on the back foot, Istiklol came back into the game and top scorer Manuchehr Dzhalilov had his first sight on goal midway through the half, only to see his effort on the turn blocked as Air Force Club cleared to safety.
As the first half wore on it was the Tajik team who were controlling the majority of the possession and Dzhalilov fired over from the penalty spot after a cutback from Oleksandr Stetsenko from the right byline six minutes before the interval.
Eight minutes after the restart, Air Force Club were awarded a penalty when Istiklol captain Fatkhullo Fatkhuloev upended Tareq as he tried to get on the end of an Ali Bahjat cross from the left and the referee pointed to the spot.
But goalkeeper Stosic proved the hero as he dived full stretch to his right to deny last year’s top scorer Ahmed and delight the vocal home support inside Hisor Central Stadium.
Air Force Club then did take the lead in the 68th minute when Ahmed laid back Sameh Saeed’s cross from the right for Mohsin to emphatically finish from 12 yards for his third goal of the campaign.
The lively Tareq then curled a free-kick from just outside the box narrowly wide with 15 minutes remaining as the defending champions looked to put the game beyond their opponents.
As the clock ticked down Istiklol pushed for the equaliser but Air Force Club, who had kept six clean sheets in 10 games, remained firm at the back as the hosts were unable to get a clear sight on goal.
Ahmed had a chance to add a second in stoppage time but failed to connect with Tareq’s cross from the left, before he blazed over from close in soon after but Air Force Club saw out the game to become just the third side to retain the AFC Cup.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Kim Yu-song of DPR Korea’s 4.25 SC has claimed the AFC Cup Top Scorer award after netting nine goals in just six appearances in the competition.
The striker finished a goal ahead of Gabriel Guerra of Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim, Bienvenido Maranon of the Philippines’ Ceres Negros and Stipe Plazibat of Singapore’s Home United.
With 4.25 SC eliminated from the tournament at the Inter-Zone semi-final stage by India’s JSW Bengaluru, Kim’s involvement in his maiden AFC Cup was brought to a premature end.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Hisor: Air Force Club coach Hussam Al Sayed hailed his players’ mental strength after the defending AFC Cup champions retained their title following a 1-0 win over Tajikistan’s FC Istiklol in the final on Saturday.
The Iraqi side were the away team in the one-legged final at Hisor Central Stadium but were stronger throughout and missed a penalty early in the second half when Hammadi Ahmed’s effort was saved by Nikola Stosic.
But Emad Mohsin proved the hero in the 68th minute as his powerful left-foot effort found the back of the net and meant Air Force Club became the third team – after Jordan’s Al Faisaly and Kuwait SC – to win back-to-back AFC Cups.
“It was a difficult match in the opposition’s home,” said Syrian Al Sayed (pictured above, right), who is currently in his second spell in charge of the club after taking over in August.
“The penalty kick could have been the turning point, but the players were mentally strong and kept their concentration. I am very proud of my players.”
Air Force Club won the tournament at the first attempt last year, amassing 27 goals in just 12 games with captain Ahmed finishing as top scorer on 16, including the only goal in the final against India’s JSW Bengaluru.
It has been a different story this year, though, as the defence of their title had seen them score just 10 goals in 10 games prior to Saturday’s final.
But their success has been built on a solid backline, with the side conceding only five goals throughout the tournament as the victory over Istiklol became their seventh clean sheet in 11 games.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Hisor: Coach Mukhsin Mukhamadiev has spoken of his sorrow that FC Istiklol were unable to bring joy to their fans after the Tajik side suffered a 1-0 defeat to Iraq’s Air Force Club in the AFC Cup final on Saturday.
Istiklol were handed the benefit of playing the one-legged final at home and 20,000 supporters packed out Hisor Central Stadium to create a fabulous atmosphere as their side aimed to make up for the disappointment of losing 1-0 to Johor Darul Ta’zim of Malaysia in the 2015 final.
But it was not to be as Emad Mohsin’s strike midway through the second half, after Air Force Club’s Hammadi Ahmed had earlier missed a penalty, proved the only goal of the game as the holders retained the title they won 12 months ago following victory over India’s JSW Bengaluru.
“It’s a pity we lost the final at home, our second final in the last three seasons, because we wanted to bring happiness to our fans,” said Mukhamadiev.
“We began the match well and created some chances, but our opponents played very well in defence and didn’t allow us shots on goal.
“We lost our concentration in the second half and Air Force Club took advantage of this to score the winning goal of the tournament.”
The defeat proved to be the first of the campaign for Istiklol, who had previously won five from five at home en route to the final.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Hisor: Manuchehr Dzhalilov has been named the 2017 AFC Cup Most Valuable Player after the FC Istiklol striker’s seven goals helped the Tajik side progress to a second final in three years.
Dzhalilov went into Saturday’s showpiece event with holders Air Force Club as Istiklol’s main threat in front of goal, but was unable to add to his tally as the visitors eventually ran out 1-0 winners.
The striker’s biggest chance fell towards the end of the first half when he fired over from 12 yards, but failure to find the back of the net against the tournament’s strongest defence cannot take the gloss off what has been a superb AFC Cup campaign for Dzhalilov.
It wasn’t until the fourth game of the competition that Dzhalilov found his scoring boots, when he bagged a brace in a 4-1 victory at the Kyrgyz Republic’s FC Alay.
The forward then scored a hat-trick on his return to the Kyrgyz Republic two weeks later as Istiklol saw off Dordoi FC 5-1.
After progressing to the Inter-Zone semi-finals as Group D winners, next up for the Central Asia Zonal champions were Ceres Negros of the Philippines.
Dzhalilov scored his best goal of the campaign in the first leg in Hisor as he rocketed in an effort from more than 20 yards out to make it 3-0, before adding his second late on in a 4-0 victory.
That goal proved to be the number 63’s last of the tournament although he did also tee up Dmitri Barkov for Istiklol’s crucial second in the 2-2 Inter-Zone final draw with India’s JSW Bengaluru as the Tajik champions advanced to a second final in three years following a 3-2 aggregate win.
The 2017 AFC Cup campaign would end in heartbreak for Dzhalilov, though, as Istiklol suffered their first defeat of the competition after Air Force Club’s second successive 1-0 victory in the final.
Emad Mohsin, meanwhile, was named Man of the Match after the striker scored the game’s decisive goal midway through the second half.
Captain Hammadi Ahmed teed up Mohsin after a delivery from Sameh Saeed from the right and the forward lashed the ball home for the only goal of the match.
The strike was Mohsin’s third of the campaign after winners against Bahrain’s Al Hidd in the group stage and, even more importantly, domestic rivals Al Zawraa in the second leg of the West Asia Zone semi-final.
Photo: Lagardère Sports
www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_cup/video/fc_istiklol_vs_air_force_club.html
