A stubborn Malkiya side put in a spirited performance at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain, threatening through dangerous counterattacks in the first half. Hashim Isa’s chip was denied by goalkeeper Khalid Eisa, and a header from Isa Al Bari missed the net.
Al Ain took the lead eight minutes after the break through Swedish striker Markus Berg. After a quick break from the Egyptian winger Hussein El Shahat. The new winter signing squared for Berg who finished with his left.
Only eight minutes later, Al Ain sealed the win when Bandar Al Ahbabi crossed for Caio who pulled a powerful header to double his side’s lead.
Al Ain join 2017 AFC Champions League runners-up Al Hilal, IR Iran’s Esteghlal and Qatar’s Al Rayyan in Group D of the competition.