Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Doha: A brace from Marcus Berg earned Al Ain their place in the Round of 16 with a 4-1 win over Qatar's Al Rayyan on Matchday Six of the 2018 AFC Champions League Group D.
Al Ain got off to a flying start when Caio embarked on a jinking run, dribbling past several Qatari defenders before attempting a left-footed effort that was parried away by goalkeeper Oumar Barry onto the path of Egyptian winger Hussein El Shahat who tapped in on the rebound to put the visitors in front inside 11 minutes.
The hosts looked to regroup and bag an equaliser, but could not find a way through and went into the break a goal down. Omar Abdulrahman doubled Al Ain's lead 10 minutes after the restart, curling in a free-kick into the top corner.
Japanese full-back Tsukasa Shiotani advanced down the left flank and crossed for Berg to sweep home Al Ain's third in the 58th minute, before adding his second of the night in identical fashion, this time applying the finish from Caio's cross in the 78th minute.
Qatari international Sebastian Soria’s continuous efforts were finally rewarded with a late goal, pulling one back for Al Rayyan five minutes from time.
The result, coupled with Esteghlal's win over Al Hilal, means Al Ain finish second with 10 points, two points behind the Iranian side. Al Rayyan, meanwhile, were eliminated with six points in third place.
Esteghlal will play the Group B runners-up in the Round of 16 while Al Ain will face Group B winners Al Duhail of Qatar.