 In 2008, they qualified for the AFC Champions League 2009 after defeating Al Gharafa 4–1 on penalties in the Emir Cup final.They were knocked out of the ACL in the semi-finals, which was the furthest any Qatari club had ever advanced at that time.The team's nickname, "Barzan's Falcons", is a reference to the Barzan Tower, which the Umm Salal Mohammed Fort houses.