Hammadi Ahmed Abdullah, center, of Iraq's Air Force Club celebrates with his teammates after netting the winner against Bengaluru FC in Doha on Saturday. ReutersDoha: Bengaluru FC suffered a heartbreaking 0-1 defeat at the hands of Air Force Club of Iraq in the summit clash of the AFC Cup as they failed to become the first Indian football club to win an Asian title here on Saturday.
I-League champions Bengaluru had already become the first Indian to qualify for the final of the AFC Cup, a second tier club competition in Asia, but they were chasing bigger glory and an unprecedented continental title, but in the end were beaten by a superior side at the Qatar Sports Club Stadium.
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Bengaluru were simply outplayed by Air Force Club, as they got very few scoring chances while the Iraqi side had several of them, especially in the second half and the closing stages of the match.
Star striker Hammadi Ahmed Abdullah, who had scored 15 goals in the 11 matches Air Force Club played before in the tournament, netted the match-winner in the 70th minute to give his side their maiden AFC Cup title.
This was the first time an Iraqi side won the AFC Cup title after Erbil Club finished runners-up twice in 2012 and 2014.
Despite the loss and heartbreak, Bengaluru will return home with their heads held high as they set a benchmark for Indian clubs by reaching thus far. Before them, only two clubs -- Dempo in 2008 and East Bengal in 2013 -- had reached the semifinals of the AFC Cup.
Bengaluru and Air Force Club were locked in a goalless stalemate at half-time with the Iraqi side dominating possession and the Indian club defending their citadel resolutely. But the barrage of attacks from Air Force Club was to bear fruit at some stage and it happened in the 70th minute.
Sameh Saeed Majbel, left, of Iraq's Air Force Club and Bengaluru FC's Sunil Chhetri fight for possession. ReutersBengaluru FC head coach Albert Roca made just one change to his team which started against Johor Darul Ta'zim in the semifinals with Lalthuamawia Ralte replacing suspended Amrinder Singh at the goal.
The first half was dominated by the Air Force Club with the Iraqi side having more of the ball possession and Bengaluru playing in their own half.
The Iraqi side, playing their maiden AFC Cup final just like Bengaluru, though did not have any clear chance with the Bengaluru back-four of John Johnson, Juanan, Rino Anto and Nishu Kumar doing an impressive job to thwart any Air Force attack.
Bengaluru, on the other hand, looked to attack on the break.
(With agency inputs)
