Al Ain contest their first Asian Champions League final in 11 years next month after defeating Qatar’s El Jaish 5-3 on aggregate in the last-four. They now face South Korea’s Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors across two legs. John McAuley looks ahead to that tie.
First-leg tactics
Al Ain travel to Jeonju for the first leg on November 19 and will know a positive result there is vital if they are to stand any chance of adding to their 2003 Asian title. Against El Jaish on Tuesday, Zlatko Dalic surprisingly dropped striker Douglas to the bench, preferring an extra body in midfield to protect the back four. Al Ain’s centre was strong, with Lee Myung-joo, Amer Abdulrahman and Ahmed Barman screening the defence, but even though it forced El Jaish out wide, the Qataris did have some success on the flanks given Caio and Danilo Asprilla pushed on. Jeonbuk are dangerous at home, as evidenced in their 4-1 first-leg victory there against FC Seoul. Al Ain need to set up correctly to ensure there is no repeat.
The Jeonbuk threat
The South Koreans have proven their pedigree en route to the final. After topping their group, they defeated Melbourne Victory in the last 16, then big-spending Shanghai SIPG in the quarter-finals, followed by domestic rivals FC Seoul. Their first-half, first-leg blitz in the semi-final, when they scored three times in 18 minutes, underlined Jeonbuk’s ability. Meanwhile, Brazilian Leonardo is the tournament’s second-top scorer, with eight goals. Like Al Ain, Jeonbuk are appearing in a third final; like Al Ain, they have won the tournament once before, in 2006. However, although towards the conclusion of their domestic season — Al Ain are only beginning theirs — Jeonbuk have been mired in controversy after they were docked nine K-League points following a corruption scandal. Their healthy lead is now non-existent. Thus, they should view Asia as a welcome respite.
Omar cementing reputation
Another standout display; another man-of-the-match award; another example of Omar Abdulrahman’s continued rise. The Al Ain playmaker was excellent in both semi-final legs against El Jaish, scoring two and assisting two of his team’s five goals. Consequently, he now holds eight man-of-the-match awards from 12 Champions League appearances this year, and is tipped by many to be crowned Asian player of the year in December. Most certainly, two more illustrations of his talent would guarantee the individual prize, while also going a considerable way to helping Al Ain clinch a second Asian crown. It is rather stating the obvious, but Al Ain’s chances of success against Jeonbuk depend heavily on Abdulrahman performing to his maximum. Crucially, the decision to make him captain has only increased his motivation. Abdulrahman’s input will again be key.
Handling final nerves
It is no secret: the Asian Champions League has long represented Al Ain’s No 1 target. The only UAE club to lift the trophy, they returned to the final in 2005 but could not repeat the feat. Now two matches from emulating their celebrated predecessors, the pressure is sure to only climb. There were traces in Doha on Tuesday of its negative impact, when El Jaish levelled the second leg at 1-1 to give them hope of an unlikely comeback. Al Ain were understandably rocked and, at times, required last-ditch and dogged defending to keep alive their Asian dream. For that is what it is: a deep-seated dream that is now so close to realisation. The pressure is sure to grow the nearer they get. Most importantly, the final calls for cool heads.
Country before club
On November 15, the UAE take on Iraq in a crucial World Cup qualifier in Abu Dhabi. Four days later, Al Ain face Jeonbuk in the first leg. Clearly, that creates a major headache for the club, especially since they typically give a large number of their first-team to the national side — for this month’s double-header with Thailand and Saudi Arabia, the squad included six Al Ain players. The Football Association have vowed to do everything to assist Al Ain’s bid for the continental title, and on Wednesday said they have contacted the Asian Football Confederation to find a way to facilitate that. However, it is difficult to envisage any real solution. Mahdi Ali could call together his UAE squad for as much as 10 days before the Iraq assignment. Al Ain would feel the pinch more than most.
[ jmcauley@thenational.ae ]
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