Al Shorta Advance to AFC Cupquarter-finals

Arbil: Syrian champions Al Shorta advanced to the quarter-finals of the AFC Cup for the second year in a row when they came from behind twice to beat Iraqi champions Arbil 4-3 after extra-time at the Francouse Al Hareeri Stadium on Wednesday.

With the scored tied at 2-2 at the end of the regulation 90 minutes, Mohammad Abadi and Maher Al Said struck in extra-time to give the visitors a two-goal advantage in the Round of 16 tie. An own goal by Al Shorta defender Ahmad Al Saleh gave the home side hope but they could not find another goal in the closing minutes to force the game to penalties.

OdayJafal had sent the game to extra-time with a second-half strike after NadimSabag and AmjedRadhi had scored for Arbil and AbdulkaderDeka had responded for Al Shorta with a penalty in the first half.

“We played a great game against the runners-up of last year’s competition who also played at home and in front of their fans. We knew that the match will be very hard but what helped us to win tonight is that we controlled the midfield and this gave us the upper hand,” said Al Shorta coach Radwan Al Abrach.

“We studied the strengths and weaknesses of Arbil and we knew how to tackle each aspect and this gave us a chance to make a good comeback in the game which went as we planned and we got an impressive victory to advance to the quarter-finals.”

Arbil had topped Group B and were looking for a return to the AFC Cup final after finishing up last season. And their early attacking endeavors were rewarded when they took the lead after only five minutes.

Nabeel Sabah’s powerful shot on a quick counterattack was blocked by Al Shorta goalkeeper Ibrahim Alma who had advanced off his line but Sabah picked up the loose ball and crossed the ball back into the box for Sabag to turn the ball home with a first-time effort.

The Syrian side got back on terms in the 22nd minute when they were awarded a penalty after Mohammed Al Wakid was fouled in the box by AleksandarKosoric and Deka stepped up to drive the ball straight down the middle.

However, the home side would go back in front in the 36th minute when a corner by Sabah was headed home powerfully by Radhi.

Having given away a penalty for the first Al Shorta goal, Kosoric then made a defensive error in the 68th minute which allowed Jafal the opportunity to fire a powerful shot to the left of goalkeeper Jalal Hassan.

Both sides continued to press for the lead as the game went into extra-time and it was the visitors who would go ahead for the first time in the 103rd minute when a cross from the left was turned in by Abadi from close range.

Having scored at the end of the first period of extra-time, Al Shorta then found the net again early in the second period as Al Said latched on to a long ball and slotted past Hassan to make it 4-2.

Arbil turned up the pressure as they tried desperately to get back into the contest and they got their reward when HalkorMulla Mohammed’s cross was turned into his own net by Al Saleh in the 113th minute but the Syrian side stood firm for the remaining seven minutes and held on for victory.

“I hold full responsibility for this defeat which is disappointing as we were knocked out of the competition,” said Arbil coach RodionGacanin.

“The team didn’t have a good performance today as we lost control in the midfield and we made some defensive mistakes that allowed Al Shorta to score goals.

“We missed several chances throughout the first and second half in addition to the two extra-time periods while Al Shorta took full advantage of their chances and scored four goals although we only conceded one goal in the group stage.”