In the first leg of the quarterfinal in the Asian Champions League, Al-Ain defeated Al-Nassr 1-0, resulting in a loss for the former team. In an attempt to continue their winning streak in the competition, Cristiano Ronaldo’s team traveled to the United Arab Emirates. However, a lackluster effort by the Saudi Pro League team and some outstanding play from Soufiane Rahimi doomed them to a 1-0 loss that evening. The Moroccan was off balance, but he remained composed as he broke through on David Ospina’s goal, around the Colombian, and slotted the ball into the empty net. The hosts controlled the game for the majority of the second half, with the exception of one Ronaldo opportunity that was denied by an incredible save by the keeper. Ain’s
Then, in injury time, Aymeric Laporte, a former Manchester City defender, was awarded a straight red card for elbowing Hazem Mohammad in the back.
Rahimi, who was instrumental in both of the UAE Pro League team’s attacks that ended up in Ospina’s net, continued to be the game’s anomaly. In the twenty-second minute of the match, the Moroccan set up a beautiful ball for Kaku, but the goal was disallowed due to an offside call during the build-up. But he didn’t take long to give Al-Ain the lead after making an incredible dash and finish past Aymeric Laporte and the Colombian goalkeeper for Al-Nassr. Rahimi slotted a flawless finish in the second half, coming dangerously close to scoring again.
The biggest letdown of the evening was still Al-stars, Nassr’s who were unable to display their elite abilities. Ronaldo and Sadio Mane showed very little skill in the match since Hernan Crespo’s team kept them quiet the entire time. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner had two key chances to score past Khalid Eisa throughout the match, but he misplayed the first and Eisa easily made a close-range save on the second. The Portuguese attacker got the final opportunity of the game, but Eisa made another outstanding save to deny him. The visitors’ hopes of winning anything from the game were essentially dashed when Laporte was sent off late into injury time.
Al-Ain and Al-Nassr will play their second leg of the quarterfinal in a week on Monday, March 11 at Al-Awwal Stadium. The UAE team will go there. Due to his ban, Laporte will not be able to play for the Saudi Pro League team upon his return.
(Goal)
