Al Nasr 1-2 Al Ain
Nasr: Barrada 21'
Al Ain: Caio 8', Jalal (OG) 23'
Red card: Caio, Al Ain
Story of the match
DUBAI // Fresh from last week's Asian Champions League success, Al Ain proved they are firmly focused on Arabian Gulf League glory, too.
The Garden City club, runners-up last season, defeated Al Nasr at the Al Maktoum Stadium on Sunday, five days after sealing a place in the Champions League final.
They played like a side still on a high from their continental crusade, with Omar Abdulrahman, Danilo Asprilla and Caio in perfect sync, particularly in the first half. The victory made it three from three in the still-embryonic domestic division. Al Ain appear in rude health, alright.
More Al Ain
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Zlatko Dalic’s men took the lead through Caio on seven minutes, the winger dancing through Nasr’s defence and drilling a low shot in off Ahmed Shambieh’s near post. It was the Brazilian’s 6th goal in 11 appearances since his summer move from Japan.
Nasr then got themselves back into the game, albeit at the second time of asking. First, left-back Mahmoud Khamis missed from the spot after Al Ain goalkeeper Mohammed Busanda was called into action by Ismail Ahmed’s under-hit back pass. He hauled down Salem Saleh, but atoned to dive to his right and repel Khamis’ spot-kick.
Nasr soon drew level, though. This time, Abdelaziz Barrada made the most of another dead-ball, curling his free-kick expertly past Busanda. He had done the same against Al Wasl last week.
Yet within two minutes, it was rendered redundant. Khamis’ night went from bad to worse, the defender smashing an attempted clearance against teammate Khalid Jalal, causing the ball to cannon into the Nasr goal.
If Jalal was left a little dazed, his team were more confused just after the hour, when Saleh somehow lifted the ball over the bar from six yards. By then, the Nasr striker had new boy Mohanad Abdulraheem alongside him, as manager Ivan Jovanovic searched for a solution.
That never came - a fifth defeat in nine for Nasr - as Al Ain saw out the match quite comfortably, even when Caio received a second booking three minutes from time. Nevertheless, his side seem primed for a twin assault at home and abroad.
What the managers said
Zlatko Dalic, Al Ain: “I saw a fantastic game for my players. We were in full control, especially the first half, when we should have scored more than two. Of course, I have to be happy, particularly after tough game in the Champions League. Al Nasr are strong and I was very afraid of this, but my team were fanastic. It was maybe our best game in a long time.”
Ivan Jovanovic, Al Nasr: “It was not a very good game from us, and on the other side there were some very critical moments where we couldn’t do better to get something from the game. What is missing is the motivation to make a new start. We need to work more to put ourselves in the game more, to try more so we can hope to have better results in the future.”
Man of the match
Omar Abdulrahman, Al Ain – Another one for the Al Ain playmaker, who controlled the tempo throughout. Maybe he should give others a chance, eh?
National verdict
Al Ain were brilliant in the first half, showing no ill effects from last Tuesday’s Champions League highlight. In Wanderley’s continued absent, Nasr need to find a more regular goal threat.
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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