Action from yesterday's match between Al Rayyan and Al Wahda.
A Sebastian Tagliabue brace helped Al Wahda to a resounding 5-1 win over Al Rayyan in Group D of the AFC Champions League yesterday as the Emirati side claimed their first victory of this year's competition and kept alive their Round of 16 qualification hopes.
Spanish forward Sergio Garcia had given visitors Al Rayyan an early lead at Al Nahyan Stadium, but saw his side’s advantage disappear just 12 minutes later when Jorge Valdivia’s clever through ball picked out Ahmed Al Akberi who leveled the scores.
By half-time, Al Wahda were ahead as Balasz Dzsudzsak’s well struck effort deflected in off team-mate Tagliabue, before Salem Sultan turned home a Dzsudzsak free-kick seven minutes after the restart.
Tagliabue and Khalil Ibrahim added gloss to the scoreline as Al Wahda moved within three points of second-placed Al Rayyan ahead of their Matchday Six encounter with third-placed Persepolis, who played out a scoreless draw with Al Hilal in yesterday's other Group D fixture as Al Hilal secured their progression to the knockout phase.
In Group C, Al Ain guaranteed themselves a place in the Round of 16 with a 3-0 win over Zobahan that ensures Zoran Mamic’s team cannot finish outside the top two.
Danilo Asprilla gave Al Ain the lead in the 25th minute before Jerry Bengtson’s missed penalty saw last year’s beaten finalists hold onto their advantage going into the half-time interval.
A fine solo effort from Omar Abdulrahman doubled Al Ain’s advantage 12 minutes into the second half and Mohammed Abdulrahman added a third nine minutes from time to seal all three points.
The win moves Al Ain into first place in the group with nine points, one ahead of Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli.
