Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Doha: Al Nasr of the United Arab Emirates scored twice in three minutes early in the second half as they came from behind to beat Qatar Stars League champions Lekhwiya 2-1 on Wednesday in the final AFC Champions League match for both teams this year.
Lassina Diaby gave the home side the lead at the Al Sadd Stadium with a cool finish just before half-time.
But the visitors struck back shortly after the break as Amara Diane and Humaid Abbas both beat goalkeeper Amine Lecomte from distance to give Al Nasr their first ever away win in the competition.
The result had little real impact on the group standings as both team had already missed out on the knockout stage with Sepahan of Iran and Al Ahli of Saudi Arabia progressing to the knockout rounds.
"The group that we were drawn in was tough and it was the main reason behind our early exit along with Lekhwiya who are also a good team," said Al Nasr coach Walter Zenga.
"This year's edition of the AFC Champions League is one of the strongest as it has a lot of good teams. Lekhwiya and Al Nasr were not lucky to be drawn in such a strong group but hopefully we have learnt lessons for the future."
Lekhwiya nearly made a sensational start as Ali Afif swung in a free-kick from the right flank that flew over the head of Ahmad Shambih and crashed against the crossbar.
The home side had the better of the chances in the first half although Lecomte had to make a good save to keep out a low shot from Leo Lima (Leonardo Lima da Silva) just after the half-hour mark.
The deadlock was broken in the 38th minute after a neatly-crafted goal by the hosts. After an exchange of passes by the Lekhwiya players in their own half, Bakari Kone surged into the Al Nasr half before he played an incisive through ball to an unmarked Diaby, who slotted the ball past an advancing Shambih.
Their lead lasted until the 55th minute when Diane equalised with a stunner. A long goal-kick by Shambih was headed clear by a Lekhwiya defender but Diane picked up the ball in midfield and advanced back towards the Lekhwiya box before he unleashed a fierce shot from 25 metres that flew past a flat-footed Lecomte for his fifth goal of the campaign.
Abbas then fired Al Nasr ahead shortly afterwards with an effort from similar range that flew past Lecomte into the top corner of the net.
Lekhwiya were unable to muster a response and the closest that they came to an equaliser was an 89th minute header by Moumouni Dagano that flew just wide.
"We gave a chance to a lot of our players to take part in the match in order to give them such important international experience. We performed well tonight despite our defeat," said Lekhwiya assistant coach Jean Lang.
"It was disappointing not to qualify from the group but that doesn't mean that we are a weak team. We have qualified for next year's competition and we will do better then."
Photo: AFP