Needing victory to advance, Air Force went on the offensive from the opening whistle and created their first chance in the 14th minute when Alaa Abbas set up Hiran Ahmed for a shot in the centre of the box but it was straight at keeper Mailson.

Al Taawoun grew into the game and forced Ali Ibadi into a save when Mateus Castro’s free-kick bounced awkwardly before being cleared by the Air Force custodian.

Air Force’s Bashar Reshan was dominating the midfield but the Iraqi side lacked precision in the final third as Al Taawoun defended with relative ease to take the game into the break on level terms.

Al Taawoun broke the deadlock three minutes into the second half when Mateus’ corner kick was squeezed in at the near post by a clever flick from Andrei Girotto.

The visitors came close to putting the game to bed before the hour mark but Ibadi had other ideas, diving to his left to deny Abdulfatah Al Hosawi from close range before making a second stop to push away Musa Barrow’s follow-up header.

Air Force poured forward in search of the equaliser and nearly did do in the 75th minute when Gerald Kilota whipped in a cross from the left that was met with a firm header from Abbas but Mailson was able to push the ball out of harm’s way.

Despite their dominance, Air Force could not force their way back into the game as they exited the competition.