Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Amman: Jordan's Al Faisaly moved two points clear at the top of Group A of the AFC Cup with just one game remaining after extending their unbeaten record to five games with a convincing 4-1 win over Syria's Al Ittihad on Wednesday.
Goals in the first half from Abdelhadi Al Maharmeh and Khalil Bani Ateyah set Al Faisaly on their way at Amman International Stadium before a late double from Ahmad Hayel secured a second win of the campaign, with Brazilian striker Ewerson Batata (Ewesron Eduardo Moreira) grabbing a stoppage- time consolation for Al Ittihad.
With Kuwait's Al Qadsia earlier beating Oman's Al Suwaiq 5-1, Al Faisaly need just a point at home to Al Suwaiq on the final Matchday next month to qualify for the last 16, while Al Ittihad saw their hopes ended following a third defeat of the campaign.
"The early goal gave us a good advantage and it took away the pressure from our players. That's why we had a good performance and we controlled the proceeding and created a lot of chances," said Al Faisaly coach Rateb Al Awadat.
"We had great motivation to go on top of the group and get a big advantage to advance to the knockout stage.
"We had the upper hand tonight and the players had a great performance."
Al Faisaly needed just five minutes to open the scoring as Al Maharmeh headed past Al Ittihad goalkeeper Khaled Al Haji Othman from Sharif Adnan's right-wing cross.
And Ateyah added a second for Al Faisaly seven minutes before the break as the midfielder met Abdulelah Al Hanahneh's cross near the penalty spot and guided his header past Othman.
Al Faisaly had to wait until the 81st minute to add a third as Hayel made no mistake from the penalty spot after Hassouneh Al Sheikh had been upended inside the area.
Al Sheikh was again involved six minutes later as Hayel added a fourth as his cross was converted from close range by the striker.
As the game entered stoppage time, Al Faisaly were denied a clean sheet as Ewerson Batata finally found a way past goalkeeper Lo'ai Al Amairaeh from the penalty spot.
"We didn't show our own form and we didn't play like we did in the previous meeting between the two teams. The players lacked fighting spirit and they were affected by the lack of competition back in Syria," said Al Ittihad coach Hussein Afash.
"Al Faisaly took advantage of playing in front of their big fans and I believe their level improved a lot since we played against them.
"We had some chances to score more goals but the Al Faisaly goalkeeper had a good game."