AFC Cup Final: FC Istiklol v Air Force Club preview
Hisor: Defending AFC Cup champions Air Force Club of Iraq will travel to 2015 runners-up FC Istiklol of Tajikistan for the final of the 2017 edition at Hisor Central Stadium on Saturday.
The holders will look to become the third team to retain the title but will have to do so the hard way as unbeaten hosts Istiklol will be determined to make up for the heartbreak of losing out to Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim two years ago.
FC Istiklol
After advancing all the way to the final on their maiden appearance in 2015, Istiklol suffered a group stage exit in 2016 but returned in style this time round and have yet to taste defeat on their march to the final.
Both Ceres Negros of the Philippines and India’s JSW Bengaluru have been beaten in Tajikistan in the knockout rounds without breaching the home defence, while Istiklol have a perfect record of five wins from five in front of their own supporters.
Boasting an array of talent from the Tajik national team, Istiklol’s main threat in front of goal is striker Manuchehr Dzhalilov, who has netted seven times in the competition and will have one eye on the tournament’s top scorer accolade.
Russian forward Dmitri Barkov has found his scoring form of late and has struck crucial goals in each of Istiklol’s last three games, while captain Fatkhullo Fatkholoev and his midfield partner Nuriddin Davronov orchestrate the play from the centre of the park.
Air Force Club
Air Force Club took the competition by storm on their debut campaign last year, losing just once as they progressed to the final, where they ran out 1-0 winners over Bengaluru to make it 27 goals in just 10 games.
Wins, and goals, have been harder to come by this time round but, despite only scoring 10 times, the holders’ resilience has seen them advance to a second successive final to the tune of just one defeat in 10 matches, with compatriots Al Zawraa and Syria’s Al Wahda edged out in tight games in the knockout rounds.
Hammadi Ahmed bagged an incredible 16 goals in last year’s competition, including the only goal in the final, and the forward’s reputation alone marks him out as a key threat to any defence. His 90th-minute strike in a 2-1 first-leg defeat to Al Wahda in the previous round was just his second of the campaign but ultimately proved vital.
Elsewhere, Ahmed’s strike partner Amjed Radhi has popped up with important goals throughout and it was his 94th-minute header that saw the defending champions eventually overcome Al Wahda, while the combative Humam Tareq offers willful energy and desire down the right flank.
Ones To Watch
FC Istiklol v Air Force Club
Venue: Hisor Central Stadium, Hisor
Kick-off: November 4, 18:00 UTC+5
Photos: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com
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