Dubai: Al Ahli’s 3-1 win away to Saudi Arabia’s Al Taawoun on Tuesday was a very important step towards qualifying for the second round of the Asian Champions League, according to Red Knights boss Cosmin Olaroiu.
A Makhete Diop brace on 37 and 59 minutes either side of an Everton Ribeiro effort on 45 minutes had Al Ahli 3-0 up before Alassane N’Diaye pulled one back from the penalty spot on 63 minutes.
It puts the 2015 losing finalists top of their group level on seven points with Iran’s Esteghlal, three points ahead of both Al Taawoun and Uzbekistan’s Lokomotiv Tashkent, with two games to go — away to Esteghlal April 25 and at home to Lokomotiv on May 9.
“These were three important points,” said Olaroiu. “We were able to get them thanks to the performance of the players.
“The match was tough as expected, unlike the first half we couldn’t get as many chances in the second, but we found a positive balance to get the win, which is very important for our chances of qualifying from the group.”
Elsewhere, Al Ain coach Zoran Mamic branded his side’s 2-2 draw at home to Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli on Tuesday a disaster.
Omar Al Soma twice equalised on 43 and 89 minutes to cancel out efforts from Esmail Ahmad and Omar Abdul Rahman on seven and 85 minutes.
The 2016 losing finalists are now third in their group, two points behind leaders Al Ahli, a point behind second-placed Zob Ahan of Iran and six points clear of Uzbekistan’s Bunyodkor with two games remaining away to Zob Ahan on April 24 and at home to Bunyodkor on May 8.
“Congratulations to my team for a good match,” said Mamic. “We played 80-90 per cent of the game well. We had many chances then somebody came and stole the victory.
“When somebody steals the three points this is a disaster, I am very disappointed. We have to win the other two games to pass the group now, it’s that simple.”
Tuesday’s games followed Monday’s action where both Al Jazira and Al Wahda were all but eliminated.
Al Wahda lost 1-0 away to Al Hilal and now sit bottom of their group six points off a necessary second-place qualification spot with two games to go.
Al Jazira are in exactly the same predicament — six points off second with two games remaining — after a goalless draw at home to Saudi Arabia’s Al Fateh.
