Doha: Al Zawraa Club booked their place in the Zonal Semi-finals of the 2017 AFC Cup on Tuesday, securing top spot in Group A after a 92nd minute Alaa Abdul Zahra penalty rescued a 1-1 draw against Al Ahli of Jordan.
The Iraqi side knew they would be guaranteed of a place in the Zonal Semi-finals if they avoided defeat at Grand Hamad Stadium, but were dealt a shock in just the fifth minute as Ahmad Al Essawi steered the ball home after some superb wing play by Yazan Thalji.
Al Zawraa immediately set about trying to restore parity, but Mustafa Kareem was unable to convert a good chance from inside the area in the 18th minute, before Abdul Zahra missed at the back post with the goal at his mercy four minutes later.
The Iraqis let plenty more chances pass in the second period, with Amjed Kalaf, Karrar Al Zuhair, and Alaa Mhawi all wasteful and Sajad Raad curling an effort against the bar, but Abdul Zahra came to the rescue in the second minute of injury time, just about guiding his spot kick beyond Mohammad Khater in the Al Ahli goal.
The point ultimately saw Al Zawraa finish top of Group A on 12 points, three clear of Al Jaish of Syria, who lost 2-1 to Omani side Al Suwaiq and were eliminated as fellow Syrian outfit Al Wahda progressed to the Zonal Semi-finals as the best-placed runner-up in the West Zone following their 6-0 victory over Safa SC in Group B.
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