Walter Zenga branded Al Jazira’s AFC Champions League round of 16 first-leg defeat to Al Ain “unfair” last night after his side were denied a late equaliser by an offside flag.
Felipe Caicedo thought he had given the hosts parity at 2-2 with just under 10 minutes to go at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium as he bundled home Abdelaziz Barrada’s free-kick.
However, Musallem Fayez had been lurking in an offside position as the set piece was taken and although the delivery sailed over his head he was deemed to be interfering with play.
An equaliser would have capped a remarkable comeback for Jazira, who had trailed 2-0 after just 15 minutes and were second-best for much of the contest.
“That is not offside,” Zenga said. “It’s a crucial decision in the game. If the goal is given then it’s 2-2 and probably we are going to win 3-2 because they had dropped and had gone up. But every time I have to talk about the referee.
“I think it is an unfair result, we’re not talking about the shot from Abdulla Mousa that is unbelievable, hits the crossbar then the back of the keeper and the ball goes out.
“I think it’s clear to everybody that result is totally unfair, but we have to accept it.”
Last night’s defeat was Jazira’s first against Al Ain this season, and despite conceding two away goals Zenga has not given up hope his side can turn things around in next Tuesday’s second leg at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium.
“The game is in two halves,” continued Zenga. “They beat us in the first half, we can beat them there because that is football. We are going to play with a strong mentality because we know we can beat them.”
Zenga added: “The players reacted very well and in the end I think they deserved more than we achieved. At 2-1 the game is open and we are going to Al Ain to win.”
In truth, the Boss could have been three or four goals to the good before the hosts were stirred into life by Fayez’s goal.
Even after conceding they spurned chances to restore their two-goal advantage with Asamoah Gyan denied only by a smart stop from Ali Khaseif moments after Fayez had cut the deficit.
But Boss coach Zlatko Dalic is taking nothing for granted ahead of the return in Al Ain.
“My target was to win the game. We came here, played well and won. First half we played very well, but I’m sorry we didn’t score two or three goals more,” said Dalic.
“Nothing has finished, we have a good result now but we will have a strong game in Al Ain. I will prepare my team for a hard game. Jazira must try to score two or three goals but my team must be ready to fight.”
