AFC Cup 2018 - Archive Videos

The-AFC.com spoke to two regional specialists to preview the tie which will see the V.League sides clash on the Continental stage for the first time.

The 23-year-old's fantastic goal on Matchday Two came in a memorable 4-1 victory over Singapore's Tampines Rovers at a packed Gelora Bung Karno Stadium. The superb strike also saw him become the first Indonesian to score for Persija at the 2018 AFC Cup and gained him 58 percent of the vote to win the poll.

Having won their first two AFC Cup titles on foreign soil, Air Force Club were determined to celebrate a third triumph in front of their fans, said Qasim who returned to helm the side just several months ago after having guided them to the 2016 crown.

"We gift this win to Iraq football fans in general, Basra fans and to the Air Force Club fans who we had promised to bring more achievements," said Qasim.

Air Force Club were quick to stamp their mark on the final, leaving Altyn Asyr chasing shadows and once the Iraqi side took the lead through Hammadi Ahmed in the 22nd minute, Hojageldyyew said his side knew it would be difficult to find a way back into the final.

"I congratulate Air Force Club for this achievement, the match was very difficult for us as they were highly motivated," said Hojageldyyew.

Ahmed, 29, put his team on the road to a historic third title with his strike in the 22nd minute, his eighth goal of the 2018 campaign, ensuring Air Force Club took a firm hold of the final in front of their adoring fans.

""I dedicate this award to the club management, the technical team, my colleagues, and most importantly, to my family," said Ahmed.

"We went into the game with great desire to win the title, our coach watched Altyn Asyr's previous matches and had a detailed plan for us."

The 4.25 SC captain finished two goals ahead of Bienvenido Maranon of the Philippines’ Ceres Negros and Sekou Sylla of Myanmar's Yangon United.

With 4.25 SC eliminated from the tournament at the Inter-Zone final stage by Turkmenistan's Altyn Asyr, An's involvement in the AFC Cup was brought to an end at the penultimate stage.

But he remained on top of the scoring charts ahead of Saturday’s final between holders Air Force Club of Iraq and Altyn Asyr with Altymyrat Annadurdyyev of the latter the closest – on eight goals prior to kick off – still four goals behind the DPR Korean.

Annadurdyyev, though, was unable to add to his tally as Air Force Club ran out 2-0 winners and An’s 12 goals proved enough to confirm him as the top scorer.

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.

Qasim, back in charge as Iraq's Air Force Club chase a historic third title, was confident that his team have the quality and experience to win Saturday's final at Basra Sport City.

Hojageldyyew, who has already created history by guiding Turkmenistan's Altyn Asyr to the nation's first major Asian final, was equally optimistic that his team can go one further.

Qasim, who guided Air Force Club to their first AFC Cup title in 2016, said his team are desperate to complete a hat-trick of AFC Cup titles, especially with the final being played on home soil.

Saturday's final will be the first major Asian event held in Iraq in a long time and Ahmed said Air Force Club are determined that the home fans in the spectacular Basra Sport City enjoy a winning performance.

"We are happy as Air force players and fans, and Iraqis in general, to host the final in Iraq, especially after the lifting of the (FIFA imposed) ban on hosting international matches in Iraq," said the striker.

"This is going to be the first Asian final in Iraq in many years and we want it to be remembered," said Ahmed, who goes into the final with seven goals to his name in the 2018 AFC Cup.

"We want to get the third title, and register our names in the record books, as we will be the first team to win the AFC Cup three times in a row."