Al Ain 2-1 Al Hilal: The Boss win on the night but AFC CL dream ends

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  • Valiant in defeat: Al Ain battled to victory but the first leg deficit proved to great.

    A late rally from 10-man Al Ain proved in vain as the Boss secured victory on the night against Al Hilal but missed out on a first AFC Champions League final since 2005 with a 4-2 aggregate defeat.

    The Boss never flinched in their pursuit despite seeking to redress a daunting deficit after a 3-0 first-leg reversal and losing star striker Asamoah Gyan to a 70th-minute red card.

    The two-footed tackle from behind on Salem Al Dawsari was reckless, the Ghana international's wild refusal to repeatedly leave the pitch was unsightly.

    The deafening chants of "Yes we can" from the supporters at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium were given extra vigour early as the 10th minute when midfielder Lee Myung-Joo ghosted in to headed home an Omar Abdulrahman free-kick.

    Hilal had not conceded in their eight previous matches in Asia's premier club competition, this run ensuring their confidence was not rocked by going behind on the night.

    The visitor's firm foundations were almost shaken soon after. Goalkeeper Abdullah Al Sdairy flapped a harmless Miroslav Stoch cross onto Gyan's head, only to secure instant redemption by denying the Ghana captain a 13th goal in this year's tournament.

    Al Ain continued to push, their continental aspirations spurring them on to launch waves of attacks against opponents who were happy to dig in and cause panic on the counter.

    Progression, however distant, remained possible until the lethal Nassir Al Shamrani had a chance delivered to him in the 65th-minute he was never going to miss.

    The striker flicked high from close range for his 10th goal in this year's tournament after a combination of Thiago Neves, who excelled, and Nawaf Al Abaid sent him clear.

    With away goals counting double, a first ACL crown since 2003 for the Boss was gone. They refused to exit without a fight, this maxim taken too literally by Gyan who could now face an extended suspension.

    Despite being a man down, Al Ain exhibited redoubtable character. Jires Kembo-Ekoko chested in on the line after the rampaging Mohamed Ahmed was found by Omar Abdulrahman.

    Both sides had chances with the game now understandably stretched until the final whistle brought ecstasy for the conqueror and despair for the vanquished.

    The overjoyed Hilal support unravelled a "Who's next?" banner at the death. On this form, Western Sydney Wanderers or FC Seoul face a huge task to stop them.

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