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AFC Cup 2021 set for thrilling final showdown in Bahrain

AFC Cup

After an enthralling AFC Cup campaign, Bahrain’s Muharraq Club and Uzbekistan’s FC Nasaf will meet in the final, with both clubs aiming to lift the title for the second time at the Sheikh Ali bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Stadium on Friday, November 5, at 7pm (local time).

Both sides are now one match away from repeating their previous feats with Muharraq Club – the only Bahraini club to compete in the AFC Cup – qualifying for the final for a third time, having finished runners-up in 2006 before clinching the title in 2008.

Meanwhile, FC Nasaf will return to the final for the first time in a decade after winning the AFC Cup in 2011 to emerge as the only Uzbekistan side to win a Continental club trophy.

The final is poised for an exciting clash between both clubs who have impressed enroute to the AFC Cup 2021 Final. Adding to the excitement, the AFC Cup 2021 will add greater significance for the finalist as the winner will qualify for the AFC Champions League 2022, the Continent’s marquee club competition.

Muharraq Club topped their group earlier in the campaign and proved their title credentials when they defeated title holders Al Ahed of Lebanon 3-0 in the West Zonal Semi-finals and continued their dominance with a 2-0 win against Al Kuwait in the West Zonal Final.

FC Nasaf were equally impressive in their journey to the final after emphatically defeating ATK Mohun Bagan of India 6-0 in the Inter-Zone Semi-finals. Ruzikul Berdiev’s charges dug deep into their reserves in the Inter-Zone Final where they defeated Hong Kong’s Lee Man 3-2 in extra-time after racing to a 2-0 advantage earlier in the match.

(AFC)