Omar focused on Al Ain progress

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  • Omar was man of the match against El Jaish.

    Abdulrahman, 25, collected an incredible seventh man of the match award in 11 continental matches this year after lighting up the the 2003 winners’ last-four, first-leg triumph against Qatar’s El Jaish. The latest gong was earned on Tuesday as assists for Brazilians Douglas and Caio bookended a precision free-kick from 20 yards as Al Ain won 3-1.

    A latest bravura performance has gifted the Garden City-outfit their healthy advantage for October 18’s decider and ‘Amoory’ was determined to end his club’s 11-year wait to reappear in the continental showpiece against East Asia’s finest.

    He said: “This [man of the match award] is thanks to the grace of God and the cooperation of my colleagues. Obtaining the title of man of the match will only be of value if we reach the final.

    “I just hope that it gives me more motivation for the future.”

    Collecting awards and receiving praise has been usual business throughout an incredible career for Abdulrahman, who finished third – behind winner Ahmed Khalil of Al Ahli and the UAE, plus China veteran Zheng Zhi – in the 2015 AFC Asian Player of the Year vote.

    Defeated Jaish boss Sabri Lamouchi exalted the man who had helped slay his side at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium. The former Internazionale and France midfielder described him as “absolutely the best player in Asia” in a gushing post-match press conference.

    “I am proud to hear such testimony from a coach with his big reputation,” Abdulrahman said. “His words give me motivation because I want to make the difference in Qatar.”

    An engrossing opening skirmish was played out between the semi-final combatants. Rebounding striker Douglas’ superb header and the set-piece from Omar had put the hosts 2-0 up by 21 minutes, before Jaish exhibited the fight which gained a pair of Group D victories against the same opponents.

    Uzbekistan winger Sardor Rashidov’s penalty just after the break was fully merited, although all this hard work was ruined during injury-time as error-prone Qatar goalkeeper Khalifa Ababacar’s needless rush to collect a hopeful ball allowed Caio to slot into an open net.

    “Of course, thanks to God that we have achieved the desired target,” said Abdulrahman.

    “My desire is to arrive in the finals. We are preparing well to win the game in Qatar, regardless of this result. We are showing respect to our competitor. They have the capability and ability to win. We will do our best to win in Doha.”

    “We are going to Qatar to win, regardless of this magnificent and big result. Our aim is to win the game and be qualified for the final.”

    This 3-1 scoreline means the Soldiers will require a minimum 2-0 victory on home soil at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium to proceed.

    Al Ain will feel supremely confident about gaining the required result. Coach Zlatko Dalic has overseen a run of supreme form on the road in the ACL, with rescue jobs seeing them past Uzbekistan’s Lokomotiv Tashkent and Iran’s Zob Ahan previously in this edition’s knockout stages.

    In total, the Croatian have lost just three matches from 16 away matches in the continental tournament since he took the reins in March 2014. The last one came at Jaish in March 2016, with goals from defender Yasser Abubakar and – now injured – star striker Abderrazak Hamdallah securing a 2-1 triumph.

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