Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dubai: Saudi Arabia international midfielder Taisir Al Jassim scored one and set up another as Al Ahli climbed out of last place in Group C and back into contention for a spot in the last 16 of the AFC Champions League with a 2-1 win at Al Nasr on Tuesday.
Victor Simoes gave the Saudi side a first-half lead at the Al Maktoum Stadium after running on to a through ball by Al Jassim, who then scored himself five minutes after the break with a fine solo effort.
Amara Diane pulled a goal back for the United Arab Emirates club two minutes later with his third goal of the tournament but the Ivorian wasted a golden opportunity to level the score for the hosts soon afterwards.
With the win, Al Ahli moved up to second spot in the group with four points, three behind leaders Sepahan but one in front of Al Nasr and Lekhwiya.
The visitors dominated the opening half with Al Jassim and Brazilian striker Simoes causing all manner of problems for the Al Nasr defence.
Simoes got behind the home side's defence early on but he was unable to get enough purchase on his effort which was easily kept out by goalkeeper Abdulla Moosa, while Al Jassim had an effort from a tight angle on the left of the Al Nasr box tipped away by the Al Nasr custodian.
But the Saudi club took a deserved in the 27th minute after Al Jassim took advantage of a giveaway by Ali Salem Ahmed in the centre circle to send Simoes clear with a deft through ball. As Ahmed attempted to rectify his error, he slid into Moosa and Simoes had the simple task of flicking the ball over the goalkeeper and walking it into the net.
Al Nasr rarely threatened before half-time but they should have drawn level in the 50th minute when Younus Ahmad Abdulla broke clear and tried to square the ball to Diane when he might have been better off shooting himself.
The home side lost possession and Al Ahli took advantage of the let-off by charging upfield. Al Jassim broke clear on the left before cutting inside a defender and firing a fierce drive into the roof of the net.
The two-goal cushion lasted only two minutes as Diane made a strong burst from the halfway line and shook off the challenge of Kamil Al Mousa before thumping a low effort past Al Ahli goalkeeper Abdullah Al Muaiouf
Diane should have levelled the score in the 58th minute when he cut inside a defender on the left of the Al Ahli box to set up an opportunity for himself only to blaze over with the goal at his mercy.
After managing only one point from their first two games, Al Ahli coach Karel Jarolim was delighted to see his side pick up the win although he felt there was still plenty of room for improvement for his players
"We said that we need to win if we hope to qualify for the next round and that is what happened today," said the Czech.
"We were very good today, particularly in the first half when we played very well. However, it's possible that we can still play better in our next match because we made several mistakes especially in midfield. Thankfully Al Nasr missed many chances to score tonight."
While disappointed with the loss, Al Nasr coach Walter Zenga paid credit to the young players in his side.
"Because of some injuries, we gave a chance to our younger players tonight and I am very proud of them because they did very good job on the field," said the Italian.
"Of course I am not happy with the result but I am happy with the level of the younger players. We may have many chances to score but that's football."
Photo: AFP