Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Jeonju: Leonardo’s brace helped Korea Republic's Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors claim the early advantage in the 2016 AFC Champions League final after a 2-1 first-leg victory over Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates on Saturday.
Following a goalless first half at Jeonju World Cup Stadium the game burst into life after the interval and Danilo Asprilla’s half-volley put visitors Al Ain in front in the 63rd minute.
But Jeonbuk responded in emphatic style as Leonardo equalised with a superb effort from distance before the Brazilian converted from the spot with 15 minutes remaining to give the Koreans a slender lead ahead of the second leg in a week's time.
Al Ain started the tie with leading scorer Douglas on the bench and star Omar Abdulrahman acting as a false nine with South American wide-men Caio and Asprilla either side.
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And it was the 25-year-old Omar Abdulrahman who created the game's first effort on goal as his free-kick launched into the box on eight minutes was met by Ismail Ahmed, although his header was straight at Jeonbuk goalkeeper Kwoun Sun-tae.
The sides struggled to impose their will on the early proceedings with passages of play often broken up by some tenacious tackling from either team.
The hosts did draw Khalid Eisa into a save on 17 minutes after Kim Bo-kyung's low shot from Leonardo's knockdown, before the Brazilian flashed in a free-kick eight minutes later that the Al Ain 'keeper did well to punch clear.
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