Al Ittihad's French forward Karim Benzema, right, in action against Air Force Club defender Ruslan Hanoon during the AFC Champions League Group C match at the Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil, the capital of Iraq's northern autonomous Kurdistan region, on November 6, 2023. All photos Ismael Adnan for The National
Al Ittihad's French forward Karim Benzema in action against Air Force Club. Ai Ittihad lost the match 2-0 but remain top of Group C on nine points.
Al Ittihad's N'Golo Kante, centre, deals with the attention of two Air Force Club players.
Al Ittihad forward Karim Benzema in action.
Air Force Club's Mustafa Saadoon Al Korji, left, takes on Al Ittihad's N'Golo Kante.
Al Ittihad coach Nuno Espirito Santo watches from the sidelines. The game against Air Force Club proved to be the Portuguese coach's last in charge of Ittihad after he parted ways with the Saudi Arabian club on Wednesday.
An Ittihad player lies injured on the field against Air Force Club.
Air Force Club fans cheer during the AFC Champions League Group C match against Al Ittihad.