Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Doha: Late goals by Aruna Dindane and Otman El Assas helped Al Gharafa to maintain their hopes of qualifying for the last 16 of the AFC Champions League as the Qatari side edged Al Shabab Al Arabi 2-1 on Tuesday at the Maktoum Bin Rashid Stadium.
Essa Mohammad put the visitors ahead 20 minutes into the second half but Dindane hit back for the hosts in the 81st minute before Otman El Assas converted a penalty two minutes later to give the Qatari side three crucial points.
They will face Saudi side Al Hilal in Riyadh in a fortnight’s time knowing that a win could send them through to the knockout rounds for only the second time.
With Al Hilal beating Piroozi 1-0 earlier on Tuesday, Al Gharafa knew that anything less than a win against Al Shabab would end any chance that they had of progressing past the group stage.
But it was the visitors who had the best chance of the first half at the Tani Bin Jassim Stadium as Ciel crossed to Kieza who shot wide in stoppage time.
Al Shabab duly took the lead in the 65th minute. A corner from the left was headed by Esam Dhahi against the left upright but Essa Mohammad picked up the loose ball and fired home a powerful shot from close range.
The Dubai club appeared to be headed for their first ever away win in the AFC Champions League but they were undone by two goals in three minutes late in the match.
Al Gharafa levelled the score with nine minutes left when Mohamad Harees’ cross into the Al Shabab box found substitute Dindane who controlled the ball before firing in a powerful shot off the crossbar.
Shortly afterwards Fahid Al Shammari was fouled by Dhahi in the box and Moroccan midfielder El Assas fired past Al Shabab goalkeeper Salem Al Hammadi to make it 2-1.
Al Shabab thought that they had equalised in the 87th minute when Kieza headed home a Ciel free-kick but the goal was disallowed for offside.
Al Gharafa coach Paulo Silas was simply relieved to get the win.
“Our chances of going through to the next round are better now that we have the victory,” said the Brazilian. “We are now three points behind Al Hilal and two behind Piroozi so we could still make it if we can win again in two weeks’ time.”
Al Shabab coach Paulo Bonamigo put the concession of the two late goals down to a lack of experience in his side.
“We are a young team and we don’t have much experience of playing in a big competition like this,” he said.
“We always try to win but sometimes we make mistakes and we can’t do it. But our players can learn something new from the experience of playing in this competition and hopefully do better next time.”