Expectations ahead of this year’s AFC Champions League were understandably modest in the UAE, Bani Yas had failed to make it past the qualifiers after all. But what a difference five weeks has made.
At the competition’s halfway stage all three sides representing the Emirates have an excellent chance of making it to the last 16.
Each team has done it their own way, and given only three UAE sides have managed to navigate the group stage successfully since 2007, it would be no mean feat if they can now finish the job.
Al Jazira could become the first of the trio to secure their passage to the knockout rounds if they beat Esteghlal at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium on Wednesdat night and the result between Al Rayyan and Al Shabab goes their way.
The Abu Dhabi club’s success has been built very much on their attacking prowess. Walter Zenga’s side have scored in the first 10 minutes of each their three group games so far.
Indeed they were 2-0 up by then in their opener against Rayyan, while it took them only until the 12th minute to double their lead in a 3-1 win in Saudi against Shabab.
Abdelaziz Barrada, signed from La Liga club’s Getafe last summer, has been a revelation in Asia. The French-born Morocco international oozes class and while he might not affect a game for the full 90 minutes, his interventions have been key.
Barrada has three goals, two assists and has been a menace to opposition defences with his clever passing in the final third.
Ahmed Rabia continues to impress playing from the left-hand side, and the pace of Jazira’s attacking players – with Felipe Caicedo, Ali Mabkhout and Abdulla Qasem all playing their part – means they are a threat to anyone on the break.
Their problem remains a leaky backline that not even a solid midfield trio of Jucilei, Shin Hyung- Min and Khamis Esmail appears able to protect for a whole game.
AGL leaders Al Ahli are also unbeaten so far and can put themselves within two points of qualification with a win over Sepahan on Tuesday night.
The Red Knights were perhaps fortuitous with the way that Ismail Al Hammadi gave them an injury-time win a fortnight ago, but as coach Cosmin Olaroiu says, every team needs a little luck.
The Romanian was cautious at the outset of the campaign but with a nine-point lead at the top of the AGL standings he might allow himself to be a bit more bold in the final three ACL group games.
Meanwhile, caution is not something Al Ain have shown much of this season, whether that be in Asia or when sacking managers.
The latest incumbent of the Hazza bin Zayed hot-seat, Zlatko Dalic, secured the Boss’ second home win of the competition last time out, with Asamoah Gyan and Omar Abdulrahman vital to a 3-1 defeat of Tractor Sazi.
But it is away from the Garden City that Al Ain struggle. The 2003 winners have not won on their travels in 14 attempts, dating back to 2006.
In the freezing cold of north-west Iran that is something they must adress tonight. Break their wretched away record and a place in the round of 16 should be theirs. And they might find they have some familiar company.
