Al Ain holds Al Ahli to a 2-2 draw
Al Ain FC twice rallied from a goal down to hold Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli to a 2-2 draw in AFC Champions League Group C fixture at the latter’s own backyards at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium “The Shining Jewel” in Jeddah.
Al Ahli was a step ahead by scoring the first goal by his defender Ageel Balghaith in the 26th minute. However, Al Ain quickly paid back by Nasser Al Shamarani in the 28th minute after slotting home past an onrushing Al Ahli custodian Yasser Al Mosailem from a tight angle to make it 1-1.
At the beginning of the second half, the hosts went ahead after Greek winger Giannis Fetfatzidis showed tremendous dribbling skills to tear the Al Ain defense apart before slotting home with a left footed effort from a difficult angle. However, an own goal gave Al Ain the tie when Ageel who was trying to clear the ball ended up nodding it into his own nettings in the 53rd minute.
With this draw, Al Ain have five points from three outings and remain on second spot while Al Ahli remain at the top of the group with seven points.
The next confrontation between the two teams will be on April 11 at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain.
Al AinFC 2
Goals: Nasser Al Shamarani“28”Ageel Balghaith 53 “own goal”
Starting Lineup: Khalid Eisa, Dawood Ali,Ismail Ahmed,RashedMuhayer, Mohammed Salem, Lee Myung-joo, Mohammed Abdulrahman, Omar Abdulrahman, Caio Lucas, Danilo Asprilla, and Nasser Al-Shamrani.
Substitutes: In: Ahmed Barmanre Out: DaniloAsprilla “55”.
In: Yousef Ahmed. Out: Nasser Al-Shamrani “66”.
In: Ibrahim Diaky. Out: Caio Lucas “79”.
Yellow Cards: Dawood Ali “9”, Ismail Ahmed “71”.
Al Ahli Saudi FC 2
Goals: Ageel Balghaith “26” Fetfatzidis“50”.
Starting Lineup: Yasser Al Mosailem, Saeed Al Mowalad, Ageel Balghaith, Mohammed Al Fatil, Mohamed Abdel-Shafy, Taisir Al-Jassim, Saad Abdul-Amir, Salman Al-Moasher, Abdulfattah Asiri, Fetfatzidis, and Omar Al Soma.
Substitutes: In: Housain Al-Mogahwi. Out: Fetfatzidis “77”.
In: Muhannad Assiri. Out: Salman Al-Moasher “78”.
Yellow Cards: Ageel Balghaith “69”
Referees:
The match referee was Adham Mohamed Makhadmeh and assistant referees were Ahmed Mo’nes Nady and Eissa Mahmoud Ahmed. Muhammad Mosa Khalaf was the “Fourth Official”. The Match Commissioner was Shan KaShung from Hong Kong and the Referee Observer was Victor Klopakov from Kyrgyzstan.
