Al Jazira 1:2 Airforce. AFC Champions League. Match Report

www.the-afc.com: Apr. 9, 2022

Going into the encounter as favourites, Al Jazira set the pace in the opening exchanges with Abdalla Ramadan sending a through pass to Al Ameri, who was just caught offside.

However, it was Air Force Club who would go on and score in the 11th minute courtesy of a fine strike from Jabbar. Shareef Abdulkadhim set it up perfectly for the forward to nod home past Al Jazira custodian Ali Khaseif Humaid.

Despite a lack of possession, the Iraqi side had a chance to add to their tally in the 23rd minute but Shareef Abdulkadhim fired his long-range effort above the bar. Moments, Sameh Saeed sent Ibrahim Bayesh on goal but the later was caught through offside.

Al Jazira were desperate to get back into the game but could not find their footing in front of the goal with Ali Mabkhout missing a big chance in the 40th minute when he sent his half-volley wide from inside the box.

The equaliser, however, finally came for Al Jazira three minutes later when Al Ameri scored from inside the six-yard-box.

It was an intense start to the second half with Air Force Club's Dhurgham Ismail almost finding a way through the danger area, while Al Jazira's Mohammed Rabii set up Abdoulaye Diaby nicely at the other end but the defender fired his effort wide.

Al Jazira continued to press and almost took the lead in the 57th minute when Al Ameri's cheeky backheel off Abdalla Ramadan's cross came off the crossbar, much to the relief of Air Force Club's custodian Mohammed Salih Mejbel.

With the clock winding down, Air Force Club blew a golden opportunity to claim the lead in the 74th minute when Muntadher Abdulameer, with only the goalkeeper to beat, fired wide after combining beautifully with Sharif Abdulkadhim.

However, the Iraqi side were not to be denied when Kadhim rose highest to nod home the winner off Dhurgham Ismail's corner in the 82nd minute.

Air Force Club will play Mumbai City on Matchday Two, while Al Jazira take on Al Shabab FC.

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