Tuesday to ensure a triumphant start to their AFC Cup campaign in Group B. Al Zawra’a opened the scoring after just six minutes through Salar Abduljabbar and after Al Hilal were reduced to 10 men five minutes after the hour mark as substitute Omar Murad was sent-off, second half substitute Ammar Kadhim sealed the win with two minutes remaining. At the Al Maktoum Stadium, Al Zawra'a made a flying start as good work from Hayder Sabah on the right resulted in Abduljabbar converting his inviting cross from close range. Al Zawra’a continued their dominance after taking the lead and they should have doubled their advantage five minutes later when Mustafa Ahmed’s powerful header was saved by Al Hilal goalkeeper Salem Awadh. Al Zawra'a again threatened after 15 minutes as Abbas Hussein Erahima sent a well-struck effort rising over the crossbar, while at the other end Al Hilal’s Yaser Basuhai fired wide. The Iraqi’s dominance nearly paid off 10 minutes before the break as Aws Ibrahim fired a free-kick just wide of the upright before Abduljabbar wasted a one-on-one chance with Awadh five minutes later. Al Hilal made a strong start to the second half in search of an equaliser as Basuhai sent an effort just wide before Sabah wasted a similar chance for Al Zawra'a at the other end. Al Zawra'a were handed a massive boost in their bid to hold onto their slender lead against the resurgent Al Hilal as Murad was dismissed just a minute after coming on as a second half substitute after a strong tackle on Sajjad Hussein. Sabah had another chance to double Al Zawra'a’s lead with 17 minutes remaining but Awadh produced an acrobatic save to turn the ball over the crossbar. But with two minutes remaining Sajjad Hussein’s left wing cross was calmly chested down by Kadhim before he dispatched his effort into the top corner to end any hopes Al Hilal had of claiming a point.