The double-tie in Amman and Beirut marks the third edition of the West Zonal Final which was introduced in 2017 as part of the regional formatting of the AFC Cup. Both previous editions saw Iraq’s Air Force Club emerge winners and go on to win the title.
There will be no repeat of history this time, with Air Force Club competing in the AFC Champions League play-offs instead this year, and the-AFC.com revisits the past two closely-contested West Asia Zonal finals.
Air Force Club (IRQ) v Al Wahda (SYR), 2017
(2-2 on aggregate, Air Force Club won on away goals)
Reigning champions at the time, Air Force Club had narrowly edged past domestic rivals Al Zawraa in the inaugural West Zonal semi-final to set up a clash with dark horses Al Wahda of Syria, who had caused an upset, brushing aside Jordanian heavyweights Al Wehdat 4-2 in the other semi-final.
Anas Bouta tapped in three minutes into the first leg in Sidon to put Al Wahda in front and the Syrian fans believed their side was destined for the final following a second-half header from Hadi Al Masri, but the tie was far from over.
As the first leg drew to a close, Air Force Club skipper Hammadi Ahmed found a lifeline for his side at the death, capitalising on a defensive mistake to net home what would prove to be a valuable away goal.
Two weeks later in Qatar, it was another late goal for Air Force Club that made the difference. Amjad Radhi headed home in added time to send Air Force Club to the final, where they would eventually defeat FC Istiklol 1-0 thanks to an Emad Mohsen goal to win a second consecutive AFC Cup title.
Air Force Club vs Al Wahda (AFC Cup 2017: Group Stage)
Air Force Club (IRQ) v Al Jazeera (JOR), 2018
(Air Force Club won 4-1 on aggregate)
Ten months on from lifting their second AFC Cup, Air Force Club were back in the West Zonal final after overcoming Lebanon’s Al Ahed in the previous round. This time their opponents would be Jordan’s Al Jazeera who had pipped two-time AFC Cup champions Al Faisaly to reach that stage.
Once more Ahmed was the standout performer for the Iraqis, his 64th minute strike was the difference in the first leg as Air Force Club walked away from Amman with a crucial 1-0 victory.
Al Jazeera 0-1 Air Force Club - AFC Cup 2018 - West Asia Zonal Final - First Leg
Now cleared to host continental matches on home soil, Air Force Club were backed by a large crowd at Karbala Spots City Stadium for the return leg.
A cagey first half ended goalless, but the hosts found their scoring boots after the break. Ahmed netted a brace within 12 minutes of the restart and Mohammed Qasim sealed a 3-1 victory at the death after Mohammed Tannous had scored a consolation for Al Jazeera.
With the experience of two AFC Cup finals behind them, Air Force Club faced Turkmenistan’s Altyn Asyr. A straight forward 2-0 victory with goals from Ahmed and Ibrahim Bayesh completed a hat-trick of AFC Cup triumphs for the club.
Al Jazeera return to the AFC Cup West Zonal final for the second year in a row, while Al Ahed - who had exited at the West Asia Zonal semi-final a year earlier - go a step further as they dream of becoming the first Lebanese side to win the competition.
