Abu Dhabi: After hosts Sepahan of Iran humiliated current UAE Pro-League leaders Al Jazira 5-1 in a Group A match of the AFC Champions League in Esfahan on Tuesday, the Abu Dhabi club's coach Abel Braga has promised a better display in the future matches.
It was Sepahan's second successive win while for Al Jazira it was their first loss after a 0-0 draw with Qatar's Al Gharafa in their opening match a fortnight ago.
Ahmad Jamshidian scored in the third minute and added another in the 26th minute but Al Jazira pulled one back through their Brazilian striker, Bare, in the 54th minute.
But the hosts made it 3-1 in the 56th minute with an Ebrahima Toure's strike and later goals by Janjus Milored and Javad Kazimian completing the Iranian team's facile win over the UAE club.
According to the ADC's official website, Braga said: "Everything was obvious in the game; they had an overall control over the proceedings of the game.
They had the complete mastery over us and over the game. I never thought we would concede five goals tonight.
"Sepahan did deserve the win. I'm wondering why we played like this.
"We are getting good results in the league in UAE and to this date have the best defence line. Rest assured we'll play even better than Sepahan in the following matches," said the Brazilian, whose side is heading towards their first League title in the UAE.
Crushed
Al Jazira managed a draw against Qatari side Al Gharafa in their opening Group A match a fortnight ago but were crushed by a rampant Sepahan, who made it two wins from as many games.
Commenting on Sepahan as possible Champions League winners, Braga said: "I can't say anything about who will win the event this time, there have only been two games so far and we should wait and see what happens in the next games.
"I confess that UAE teams do not get good results in continental tournaments like the AFC Champions League but I do reiterate that today wasn't our day," he added.
In the Gulf Clubs Championship on Tuesday, Al Dhafra trounced 10-man Sahan from neighbouring Oman 6-1 while Dubai's Al Shabab prevailed over Kuwait's Al Salmiya with a 1-0 margin despite being reduced to ten men.
Former Al Ain and UAE national team player Gareeb Hareb opened the account and two goals each by Boris Kabi and Abbas Monika Laval along with one from Mohammad Salem helped Dhafra nail a huge win.
RESULTS
Group E
- Mel Victory 1 Jeju United 2
- Tianjin Teda 2 Gamba Osaka 1
Group F
- Nagoya Grampus v Al Ain (postponed)
- FC Seoul 3 Hangzhou 0
Group A
- Al Gharafa 0 Al Hilal 1
- Sepahan 5 Al Jazira 1
Group B
- Al Nasr 2 Esteghlal 1
