AFC Challenge League
Valeriu Tita’s side climbed to second with the win but need victory against Bhutan’s Paro FC on Friday to stand a chance of reaching the knockout stage.
With just one point from two matches, Turkmenistan’s Ahal will also be in search of a win in their tie against group leaders Al Ansar FC of Lebanon.
Aleppo’s bid to bounce back from Saturday’s 2-0 loss to Al Ansar began with Mohamad Rihanieh cutting in from the right flank in the second minute but his decision to shoot from an acute angle only found the side netting.
The Syrian outfit were then put under pressure by Ahal as Yakupmuhammet Govshudov sliced an effort wide, then Dovran Berdiyev’s half volley was turned behind by Shaher Al Shaker before the Aleppo custodian saved a Oraz Orazov header.
The game swung back in Aleppo’s favour in the 34th minute when Yslam Annamyradov allowed the ball to get away from him on the edge of his own box and Ahmad Ashkar stole in to toepoke it home past a bewildered Muhammet Ovezov.
Ahal tried to respond but lacked finesse with Govshudov driving forward from the halfway line before hitting a swerving shot which was comfortably saved by Al Shaker before Magtymberdi Berenov nodded wide from close range.
Group A: Al Ittihad Ahli of Aleppo SC (SYR) v Ahal FC (TKM)
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Aleppo turned the screws on Ahal in the second half with Firmino notching a brace of goals in the space of 10 minutes.
The first was a tap-in in the 51st minute after Rihanieh’s initial strike had taken a couple of deflections before flinging himself to head home Hasan Dahhan’s corner delivery to place Aleppo in a comfortable position just after the hour mark.
Ahmad Al Eish turned on the booster to get away from Berdiyev’s sliding challenge, then drew Ovezov away before setting up fellow substitute Abdulrahman Al Hasan for a simple finish in the 80th minute.
Enver Annayev pulled a goal back for Ahal in the 88th minute but Al Hasan headed home a fifth a minute later to seal a comprehensive win for Aleppo.
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