Dubai: Al Ain were a victim of their own urgency in front of goal after being held to a 1-1 draw at home to Qatar’s Al Rayyan in the Asian Champions League on Tuesday.
Marcus Berg put the hosts ahead on 10 minutes via a penalty after Caio Lucas was fouled inside the box, but Abder Razzaq Hamad Allah equalised for the visitors from the spot on 28 minutes after he was also fouled and took the resulting spot-kick.
“We were closest to winning and had many opportunities, but are satisfied with the performance and result,” said Al Ain’s assistant coach Damir Krznar. “Sometimes it happens that you play well but don’t get the desired result.
“It’s a mistake of urgency. We played with spirit and desire and are satisfied, but we lacked the last touch, we didn’t get enough players inside the box and had poor concentration.”
This was Al Ain’s second draw in as many games after also being held goalless away to Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal last week. They are now joint second in Group D, level on two points with Al Rayyan, two points behind leaders Esteghlal of Iran and a point ahead of Saudi’s Al Hilal.
“We have four games left now to try and win and move forward,” added Krznar, whose side next play Esteghlal at home on March 6.
Omar Abdul Rahman was awarded the Man of the Match, but said: “For me, this was a negative result. Victory was more important than personal honours. We made a great effort but didn’t succeed and I hope we can make up for it in the next games to qualify.”
On a positive note, he added: “For a long time we haven’t seen Al Ain play with this much spirit or energy and I think we are capable of achieving desired goals this season.”
Elsewhere, Al Wasl lost 1-0 away to Uzbekistan’s Nasaf Qarshi on Tuesday. Igor Golban got the game’s only goal on 57 minutes after heading in Slavko Lukic’s corner.
Al Wasl are now bottom of Group C on no points after two defeats having earlier lost 2-1 at home to Qatar’s Al Sadd last week. Al Sadd lead the group on six points, Iran’s Persepolis are second on three points ahead of Nasaf who are level on points but third by goal difference.
Next up Al Wasl are away to Persepolis on March 5.
In Monday’s games, UAE’s Al Wahda lost 3-2 at home to Qatar’s Al Duhail and Al Jazira lost 2-1 away to Saudi’s Al Ahli.
