"I think our performance was of a really high level and if you analyse both games, we deserve to go through," said Crespo.

 

"We are very happy with the result. I think everybody watched a great game between two great opponents and we played really very well."

The Argentine was proud of his players for being able to cope with the pressure Al Nassr inficted after the Saudi Arabian side went 2-0 behind on the night. 

 

"We played really well and maybe, we didn't deserve to arrive to penalty kicks. We deserved to win earlier. 

 

"I want to congratulate my players because they played with great personality and they showed they are a big group," said the Argentine, who led Qatar's Al Duhail SC to the AFC Champions League 2022 semi-finals.

Goalkeeper Khalid Eisa hailed his teammates for remaining focused even after Al Nassr had drawn level on aggregate.

 

"It was a really difficult and dramatic match. We expected that Al Nassr would attack from the first minute."

"Our players worked really hard, and I am so proud that we remained stable and focused even after Al Nassr scored their second goal," said Eisa.

 

Back in the semi-finals for the first time since 2016, inuagaural AFC Champions League winners Al Ain will next face either Al Hilal SFC or Al Ittihad.