Dubai: Al Ain playmaker Omar Abdul Rahman said his side’s bid to reach their third Asian Champions League final was only halfway complete after beating Qatar’s El Jaish 3-1 at home in Tuesday’s semi-final first leg.
Omar, better known as Amoory, set up Dyanfres Douglas’ opener on 17 minutes and then added his own from a free-kick five minutes later.
Sardor Rashidov then pulled one back from the penalty spot on 52 minutes but Omar was again on hand to supply Caio Lucas for a third in stoppage time.
“The first half of the challenge is complete but there’s another leg in Qatar and we are well aware it won’t be easy,” said Omar of their October 18 return leg in Doha.
“El Jaish have strong capabilities to recoup their losses at home but with all due respect to their aspirations we’re going there to win the second leg and reach the final.”
Of his man of the match winning performance in the first leg he added: “There is no value to winning individual awards if we don’t take the title.
“I thank the fans for all their support, which contributed in the result. Winning is the least we can do to repay their efforts.”
El Jaish coach Sabri Lamouchi praised Omar’s performance and said his side would struggle to overcome a 2-0 deficit at home.
“Al Ain have the best player in Asia and he made the difference,” he said. “He’s an unbelievable player and I love him a lot. All coaches want a player like him because he fights with heart and is a nice playmaker with an amazing left foot.
“It will be really difficult now to score two goals against this team, it’s not easy but we will see if we have a chance.”
Al Ain coach Zlatko Dalic rued the fact El Jaish were allowed to get a vital away goal but seemed satisfied with the result.
“The first half was great, we did everything we wanted,” he said. “We scored two goals and had a good lead.
“I told my players at half-time that they would have to be careful in the second half but this is a semi-final and you can’t expect the other team to do nothing.
“Thankfully we scored a third and it is a good result. If somebody had given me 3-1 before the game I would have taken it. I’m happy with my players and in one month when we play the second leg we will be more ready.”
Al Ain, who lost twice to El Jaish in the group stages, will now travel to Qatar for the second leg on October 18. If successful they will reach their third Asian Champions League final after previously winning in 2003 and losing in 2005.
