AFC Cup: Suwaiq in goalless draw with Al Zawraa

MUSCAT: Oman’s Suwaiq Club were held to a goalless draw by Iraq’s Al Zawraa in their 2017 AFC Cup Group A opener in Doha on Monday.

According to news posted on the AFC website, Al Zawraa and Al Suwaiq shared the points following a goalless stalemate.

The Iraqis had enjoyed a home and away double over their visitors in their only previous meetings in the competition with 2-0 and 1-0 victories respectively at the 2009 edition, but the encounter at Doha’s Grand Hamad Stadium proved a far tighter affair.

In a match of few chances, Al Zawraa striker Musafa Kareem had the two best scoring opportunities, coming at either end of the second half.

Kareem’s first was a rightfooted shot narrowly going wide on 51 minutes before he saw a header go close with 11 minutes remaining.

With Syrian side Al Jaish defeating Jordan’s Al Ahli 1-0 earlier on to put the inaugural champions in an early pole position in the group, Al Zawraa and Al Suwaiq occupy second place in Group A two points further behind the 2004 winners.