Iraq's Air Force Club were not the overwhelming favourites as they went into the final of the AFC Cup 2017 against FC Istiklol, partly because they had not been at their best during their run to the final and partly because the final was being held at Hisor, the home of the Tajik champions.
But after 90 minutes on Saturday night, it was indeed the Iraqi club who stood victorious after defending their title successfully.
And they had one man to thank for on the night - Emad Mohsin.
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The Iraqi forward showed plenty of application throughout the night but the moment that mattered came in the 68th minute.
Hammadi Ahmed laid back Sameh Saeed’s cross from the right for Mohsin to emphatically finish from 12 yards for his third goal of the campaign and ensure his team became only the third team to defend the AFC Cup.
He was a threat for the Istiklol defenders throughout, winning at least half of the aerial duels he was involved in and winning all his tackles.
It is no wonder that, his efforts see him named as this week's Goal's Asian Player of the Week!
