AFC Cup Final – Three Key Players: Air Force Club
Kuala Lumpur: On Saturday, defending champions Air Force Club of Iraq will look to join Kuwait’s Kuwait SC and Jordan’s Al Faisaly in becoming the third team to successfully defend their AFC Cup title when they face Tajik side FC Istiklol in Hisor.
Ahead of the final, the-AFC.com profiles three players that could make the difference for the 2016 champions.
Zahir Al Medani
Position: Defender/Midfielder
Age: 28
Nationality: Syrian
Zaher Medani (pictured above, second left) moved to play in the Iraqi Premier League, and is in his second spell at Air Force Club after first moving to Baghdad in late 2012.
The Syrian international is capable of playing as a central defender or in central midfield where he has played for both club and country and is considered one of the most consistent performers in the Iraqi league.
Despite missing two games this campaign, only centre-back Samal Saeed completed more passes for Air Force than Al Medani’s 249, demonstrating his importance to the side’s build-up play from the back.
Al Medani is equally important to Air Force’s defensive game; his tackle success rate of 90.9 percent is second highest in the side.
Humam Tariq
Position: Midfielder
Age: 21
Nationality: Iraqi
Humam Tariq combines creativity and hard-work into his game and is one of first names on Air Force Club team sheet.
In the seven AFC Cup games he was available for selection, Tariq racked the maximum 630 minutes.
The left-footed dribbler is the main attacking outlet for Air Force Club. No teammate created more chances than Tariq’s 13 in the AFC Cup this season.
Having come through the youth ranks at Air Force Club, 21-year-old Tariq rejoined the club in 2015 after a less-than-impressive in the United Arab Emirates with Al Ahli and Al Dhafra.
Since his return, he helped Air Force Club to one league and one cup title alongside his role in their 2016 AFC Cup triumph.
Hammadi Ahmed
Position: Forward
Age: 28
Nationality: Iraqi
After seven years at Air Force Club, striker and club captain Hammadi Ahmed is still going strong. Hammadi Ahmed reached 100 league goals in the blue shirt at the start of the year.
Ahmed exploded on the continental stage last season when his 16 goals propelled Air Force Club to the AFC Cup title, earning him the top goalscorer award, the tournament Most Valuable Player award and a place in the podium at the 2016 AFC Player of the Year shortlist, where he finished runners-up behind Omar Abdulrahman.
Far from last season’s heights, Ahmed’s attacking returns have diminished this season.
He scored Air Force Club’s first goal of the campaign in the group stage against Al Hidd, then suffered a dry spell that was only broken by his goal in the first leg of the Zonal final against Al Wahda.
Despite an indifferent campaign so far, Ahmed remains Air Force Club's leading goal threat alongside Amjed Radhi and Istiklol could pay a hefty price should they downplay his attacking prowess in the final.
Photos: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com
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