Bani Yas’ AFC Champions League dream was cut short prematurely last night as new coach Adnan Hamad started his reign in Al Shamkha with a 4-0 defeat to Al Qadsia.
If the Iraqi had not grasped the size of the task that faces him at Bani Yas prior to the second qualifying round clash, he can be under no illusion anymore.
The hosts were second best for much of the contest, conceding first-half goals from Mesad Nada and Omar Al Soma before Saleh Al Sheikh and Fahed Al Ibrahim gave the scoreline some gloss for the Kuwaitis in the final 20 minutes.
However in between there was little from Bani Yas to suggest they had the wherewithal to launch a fight back once their visitors had taken the lead.
Hamad was brought in at the end of last week to try to stop the rot and lead the club into the AFC Champions League proper but that goal was effectively out of reach by half-time.
It took Qadsia less than 10 minutes to open the scoring. Both teams were still feeling their way into the contest when Saif Al Hashem went down 25 yards out.
Bani Yas protested the award of the free-kick and their mood was only to worsen as centre-back Nada stepped up and curled a delicious set piece into the top corner.
Team morale has evidently been affected by back-to-back league defeats, but the hosts retain an attacking threat on the counter-attack and had chances to equalise only for confidence and composure to let them down.
Carlos Munoz may not be the most physical of strikers but he was a nuisance, and stung the fingertips of Nawaf Al Khaldi with a 16th minute drive.
Later he was unable to turn a Mohammed Fawzi cross goal wards at the back post, but it would be Luis Farina that missed Al Samawi’s best chance of an equaliser.
Chile international Munoz found Ahmed Dada on the right with a raking pass, before the winger dropped a first-time ball into the Argentine’s path.
Farina had time to bring the ball down and pick his spot but instead snatched at a volley and the opportunity was gone.
Just five minutes later Qadsia doubled their lead, and took a sizeable step into the third round of qualifying when Al Soma – who had earlier struck a post – rose to head home an Al Hashem corner.
The 50 or so travelling Qadsia fans were now in good voice, and the decibels were almost raised again shortly after half-time, but Al Hashem fired wide.
Abdul Salam Al Mukhaini then got involved in a spat with Al Sheikh but that was about as much fight as the hosts showed as they failed to impose themselves on the second half.
Munoz did create a half-chance for himself before the hour mark but when the third goal arrived for Qadsia it was with little surprise.
Al Sheikh displayed the good side of his game, exchanging passes with the impressive Al Hashem before unleashing an unerring finish past Al Hashmi in the Bani Yas goal.
And it would get worse for the hosts as Al Ibrahim added a fourth with seven minutes left.
