Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Muscat: Mohamed Al Hinai scored twice in two minutes early in the second half as Omani league champions Fanja came from a goal down to beat Ahli Taiz 3-1 on Wednesday as they celebrated their passage into the knockout stage on their debut in the AFC Cup.
In a match delayed by heavy rain at the Seeb Sports Complex, Aref Al Merghmi put the visitors ahead in the 21st minute but Al Hinai turned the match on its head when he equalised in the 52nd minute before firing his side ahead a minute later.
Sidy Keita added a third with 18 minutes left as Fanja sealed second place in Group B and set up a last 16 clash in Kuwait City with Group D winners Al Qadsia.
With the kick-off delayed for nearly two hours, Fanja knew that they had already qualified for the knockout stage when news came through that group leaders Arbil had beaten Al Ansar 2-0. According to Fanja coach Hicham Al Jadran, that probably contributed to his team’s poor display in the first half.
“We didn't have a good performance today as the players might have been affected with the result of Arbil and Al Ansar,” he said.
“In the first half we didn't have a good performance as the players failed to score from the chances that they had.
“In the second period we improved and we managed to score three goals which helped us to win. We will prepare well for the next match and we will try our best to fix the mistakes and hopefully the players will recover and be ready for the match.”
The home side began the match in positive fashion but it was the visitors who went ahead midway through the first half when they launched a quick counter attack. The ball was worked to Al Merghmi in the Fanja box and he easily slotted the ball past goalkeeper Ahmed Al Hattali.
Fanja stepped up the pressure early in the second half and they were rewarded seven minutes after the interval when Al Hinai headed in Abdulkhaliq Fayil’s cross from the left.
And just a minute later, Al Hinai struck again when he fired a powerful effort past Ahli Taiz goalkeeper Omar Abdulrab.
The hosts added a third in the 72nd minute when Fayil made another good run down the left flank before crossing for Keita to make it 3-1.
Keita was sent off shortly afterwards when he was booked for a second time but Fanja still had a chance to add a fourth when they were awarded a penalty three minutes from time only for Ely Cisse to fire his effort wide.
“We had a good performance at the start of the match but the pitch didn’t help us due to the weather conditions before and during the match,” said Ahli Taiz coach Sami Naash.
“The players were tired in the second period and that is why we couldn’t hold on to our lead. The physical abilities between the two teams were big and Fanja took advantage of this to score three goals.
“But despite this defeat, I’m happy with the performance of the players who were good tonight and followed our instructions.”
Photo: WSG