New Al Ain coach Zlatko Dalic says the Boss are just one win away from the last-16 of the AFC Champions League (ACL) after they beat Tractor Sazi 3-1 in his first game at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium.
The Boss found themselves two goals ahead within 37 minutes as Asamoah Gyan and Mohamed Abdulrahman both struck for the home side. But that did not reflect the whole story and their visitors pulled one back before half-time as Milad Fakhreddini pounced on a mistake from Ismail Ahmed.
Omar Abdulrahman replaced his injured brother, Mohamed, early in the second half and was instrumental in the goal that sealed Al Ain’s victory, picking out Gyan with an excellent through ball. The Ghanaian rounded Tractor ‘keeper Davoud Noushi to notch his fourth goal in three ACL games this season, and complete a win that saw the hosts climb above both Tractor and Al Ittihad, who lost 2-0 at Lekhwiya, to top Group C.
“We played a good game, maybe we didn’t have possession of the ball but we played well,” Dalic said following his first win since assuming control of the club. “I think we need nine points for next round. We now have six and we need one more win in the next three games but we will not wait for anything, we will try to make a good game in Iran against Tractor because all options are open, especially now that Lekhwiya have won against Ittihad.
“We must be ready for the next round, it is our target. I know it will not be easy but the two away games next against Tractor and Lekhwiya will solve everything I think.”
Tractor coach Toni Oliveira thought the reason for his side’s defeat was simple – Al Ain had better players.
The former Sharjah boss said: “They have players who make a difference, if it was possible to change and put Asamoah Gyan on our side maybe the result would change.”
Al Ain’s dismal away record in the ACL meant they needed a positive result here and they got off to the perfect start as Gyan stabbed home in the 16th minute. Fares Juma’s header back across goal eluded the Ghanaian but with Mohamed Ahmed making a nuisance of himself, Ismail Ahmed stuck out a leg at the far post to divert the ball back into the sixyard area where Gyan was lurking.
The goal came slightly against the run of play and almost immediately Tractor gave warning of their danger as Mehdi Kiani riffled in a 25-yard free-kick that Khalid Essa did well to tip onto the bar, before punching away from Mehdi Karimian.
Al Ain’s threat on the break had been highlighted as Ibrahim Diaky rippled the side netting from 20 yards and it was on show again with eight minutes of the half left as the Ivorian-born midfielder’s raking ball found Gyan in space on the left. The Boss striker took a touch before delivering an inch-perfect ball to the far post where Mohamed Abdulrahman tapped home.
Al Ain’s defenders had looked nervy all half, though, and their two-goal cushion would not last until the break as Ismail Ahmed failed to clear up Ali Karimi’s speculative ball forward, allowing Fakhreddini to nip in and score.
Diaky had a chance to restore his side’s two-goal lead early in the second-half before the hosts – already missing Alex Brosque with a foot problem – lost goalscorer Mohamed Abdulrahman to injury. That brought his brother Omar onto the pitch and it would be a piece of magic from the UAE star that ultimately assured the Boss of victory. His arcing through ball perfectly dissected the Tractor back line and needed Gyan only to knock it past the on-rushing Noushi and then slide the ball home.
