Zawraa shine in Arabian Champions League
Riyadh – IRAQ club Al Zawraa showed their class against Al Wihdat as they trounced the Jordan champions 3-0 in Matchday Two of the second round in the inaugural Arabian Champions League.
The Jordanian champions were the best side until the 30th minute when Fawzi Jouda scored the first goal for his side, just three minutes before Haidar Hussein doubled Al Zawraa's lead.
Al Wihdat tried to turn the match in their favor in the early minutes after the break, but they were stunned by a third goal for Al Zawraa by Wisam Zaki in the 64th minute.
It was an impressive performance by Al Zawraa and another boost for Iraqi football following Al Talaba's 2-1 defeat of Al Kuwait 2-1 in Group B.
Al Zawraa remain in third place in Group A with three points, just one point behind Saudi clubs Al Hilal and Al Ahli who drew 1-1 in the other match in the group.
Al Hilal made a perfect start in the match as they opened the scoring after 15 minutes with Bandar Muteiri firing a well taken free-kick past Al Ahli keeper Taiseer Neteef.
Al Ahli fought back well but saw their efforts turned aside by the Al Hilal defenders and giant keeper Mohammed Al Deayea. Brazilian Kim Diaz also saw his acrobatic shot come back off the woodwork in the 79th minute.
However, Al Ahli pressure finally paid off three minutes later when substitute Suod Khaibari beat Al Deayea with a powerful strike for the equaliser.
Arabian Champions League
Group A results
Al Hilal (KSA) 3 Al Zawraa (IRQ) 0
Al Wehdat (JOR) 0 Al Ahli (KSA) 1
Al Ahli (KSA) 1 Al Hilal (KSA) 1
Al Zawraa (IRQ) 3 Al Wehdat (JOR) 0
Iraq is seeded in group 2 in Asian Cup 2004
The Asian Football Federation (AFC) placed Japan, China, Saudi Arabia and South Korea as heads of groups for the AFC Asian Cup final to be held in China 2004.
Iraq was placed in level two along with Kuwait, Iran and Qatar.
Level three: Thailand, Indonesia, Uzbekistan and UAE.
Level four: Oman, Bahrain, Jordan and Turkmenistan.
The AFC cup finals will be held on July 17- August 7, 2004 in China. The AFC cup draw is scheduled for January