Iraq's Air Force Club lifts the 2016 AFC Cup
Sunil Chhetri led JSW Bengaluru FC's dream dashed as they lost 0-1 to Iraq's Air Force Club in the finals of 2016 AFC Cup in Doha. Hammadi Ahmed scored the only goal of the match in the 70th minute to help the Iraqi club lift their maiden AFC Cup title. He also was the top scorer of the tournament with 16 goals.
Bengaluru FC to face Air Force Club in the finals
The final match of the 2016 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup was played between India's Bengaluru FC and Iraq's Al-Jawiya Al-Riyadhi (Air Force) Club. It is for the first time that these two teams have reached the finals of the tournament since its first edition in 2004. The match was played at Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha.
First Indian club to reach AFC Cup finals
Bengaluru FC became the first Indian football club to reach the finals of AFC Cup after they beat the defending champions Johor Darul Ta'zim in the semi-finals. The Indian club had won three of their six group matches and lost the other three. They stood second in their group. They showed an extraordinary performance in the round of 16 and quarter-final stage.
Hammadi took his club to maiden AFC final
Star striker Hammadi Ahmad scored goals in every match of the club and helped the Iraqi club to reach their first finals of the AFC Cup. Air Force Club lost just one group match while continuing to show their dominance in the other matches. The gritty and experienced club overcame hurdle of Lebanon's Al Ahed in the semi-finals.
I am proud of my players: Bengaluru coach
After Bengaluru FC's loss, coach Albert Roca said, "We have tried, there's nothing more to say but I'm still proud of my players. They have proved that to be here in the final, it was not easy."
