Abu Dhabi: With the Arabian Gulf League (AGL) title within their grasp, Al Ain registered a comeback 2-1 win over Saudi giants Al Hilal in the AFC Champions League at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on Monday.
The result once again reiterated Al Ain’s dominance at home where they have not lost in 14 games in Asia’s showpiece event. The victory has placed them in line for the knockout stage with a match in hand against Qatar’s Al Rayyan in Doha on April 16.
If they can overcome the test against Dibba on April 6 and seal the AGL title, Al Ain can then solely focus on the AFC Champions League and that’s precisely what coach Zoran Mamic will be looking to do.
Apart from the thoroughly professional approach from Al Ain, the highlight of Monday’s encounter was the three penalties handed out by the referee to the hosts.
Though it left the visitors crying foul, the hosts aren’t complaining. The man who drew two of the three penalties with his nimbleness inside the box — Omar Abdul Rahman — said, “I’m not interfering in the referee’s decisions. The referee knows best and he has taken those decisions. I have not seen the replays and experts will decide if it is right or wrong.
“This was an important win for us and now we have consolidated our position in the group. This is a boost for the team and the Al Ain fans as well.”
Abdul Rahman, who missed one from the spot before Swede Marcus Berg stepped up to convert the next two opportunities, went on to add that the team was in no mood to look any further than the Dibba match as of now.
“We have an important match against Dibba and once we win that and clinch the title, we can concentrate on the Rayyan match. As of now our focus is to clinch the Arabian Gulf League,” he said.
Berg too, was extremely delighted to contribute to the team’s win, saying; “My real joy is to see the team winning those three points. I always work to try and put my best foot forward as a striker and try to translate the opportunities into goals. I scored two goals off two penalties and missed some opportunities, but I’m prepared to redouble my efforts with my teammates. We all want to contribute for the team.”
Berg went on to add that Al Ain team’s focus this season has been on the AGL and next match against Dibba will be crucial in realising that goal.
“Today we have achieved our first group win in the AFC and we will now focus on our next match against Dibba. Once that is done, we will deal with the AFC Champions League and have a strategy in place for the remaining part of the tournament,” he said.
Coach Mamic speaking about his team’s showing, said, “The confrontation against Hilal was not easy. At the start, from the first minute, only Omar Abdul Rahman was alone in the game. Then after the first quarter we lacked control over the proceedings but we managed to gradually return to the game and achieved our goal.”
Mamic too refrained from commenting on the referee’s penalty decisions, saying, “I have not seen the game on television yet, but from my position on the ground I felt those were right. If there are mistakes, it will still be a part of football. I also felt that Mohammad Abdul Rahman’s second yellow was harsh, but history will only mention the winner and no one will speak tomorrow about the referee.”
STANDINGS
Group D
P W D L GF GA GD Pts
Esteghlal 5 2 3 0 8 5 3 9
Al Ain 5 1 4 0 6 5 1 7
Al Rayyan SC 5 1 3 1 6 7 -1 6
Al Hilal 5 0 2 3 3 6 -3 2
