Arbil inch closer to fourth title

Friday, 20 July 2012 12:37

Arbil: Iraq’s AFC Cup contenders Arbil have further increased their lead in the Iraq League and inched closer to the title after defeating Al Minaa Basra 3-0 at Francouse Al Hareeri on Thursday. Arbil who are on 73 points from 32 matches, nine points clear of second-placed Duhok who have played an extra two matches, now only need to win the next match away against Al Taji to clinch their fourth Iraqi League title. Arbil, who reached the semi-final stage in 2011 having lost on 5-3 aggregate to eventual runners-up Kuwait SC, will face Malaysian double winners Kelantan in the AFC Cup’s double-header quarter-finals. Their first quarter-final match will be played at Francouse Al Hareeri Stadium on the 18th of September. The return leg at Sultan Mohammed IV Stadium at Kota Baru, Malaysia is slated for September 25.