Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Basra: Air Force Club were crowned 2018 AFC Cup champions, lifting the trophy for a record third successive year after a 2-0 win over Altyn Asyr at Basra Sport City Stadium on Saturday.
The hosts came racing out of the blocks as Hammadi Ahmed found space inside the box and rounded goalkeeper Mamed Orazmuhamedov, but the Altyn Asyr defence recovered, forcing the forward wide. Ahmed laid off the ball for Ali Husni whose effort was blocked in the fifth minute.
Ahmed had a golden chance to open the scoring in the 15th minute when he received Ibrahim Bayesh’s cross from the right flank, but the Air Force Club captain’s shot was collected by Orazmuhamedov.
The deadlock was finally broken halfway through the opening period. Defender Mekan Saparov floundered his attempt to clear a through pass, and the ball reached Ahmed who applied a calm finish from close range for his eighth goal of the campaign in the 22nd minute.
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/hammedi_ahmed-air_force.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/ibrahim_bayesh-air_force.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/air_force-altyn-livescore.html
