ACL round-up: Al Ain go top of Group B, Naft sink Al Shabab with late strike

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  • Goalscorer: Miroslav Stoch's strike earned Al Ain victory in Uzbekistan on Wednesday night.

    Al Ain are back on track to secure progression to the Champions League round of 16 following last night’s impressive 1-0 win at Uzbekistan giants Pakhtakor, according to coach Zlatko Dalic.

    Last year’s semi-finalists performed astoundingly in Tashkent, defying the enforced absence of star pair Asamoah Gyan and Omar Abdulrahman as well as goalscorer Miroslav Stoch’s sending off to prevail. The Slovakia winger rocketed in the only goal from the edge of the box in style, but was dismissed with 15 minutes still to play following an off-the-ball incident.

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    His team-mates dug in admirably, victory securing top spot in Group B at the half-way stage with two of the three subsequent fixtures to be played at home.

    “The most important thing was the victory. We had four or five good chances to score but we didn’t take them,” said Dalic, whose side will host the Uzbeks at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in three weeks’ time.

    “We won the match and collected three points which I hope will help us qualify for the next stage.

    “Stoch made a big mistake as our team had to play almost 20 minutes without him. We should respect our opponents and the referees.”

    Al Ain excelled throughout against the previous pool leaders. Forward Jires Kembo Ekoko put in a typical display, his pace causing problems only for his finishing to be wayward. The ex-Rennes star recorded a particularly glaring miss in the 10th minute, shooting wildly over when played clean through by defender Ismail Ahmed.

    Naft Tehran blew Group B wide open after late goals from Amir Motahhari and Leandro Padovani against Al Shabab Riyadh saw them secure a memorable first-ever AFC Champions League victory.

    Memorable win: Naft players celebrate their first ever AFC Champions League win.

    The come-from-behind triumph ensured Al Ain finished the round in top spot on five points, one ahead of Naft and Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor.

    The Iranians had looked on course for a second defeat in three matches when visiting striker Naif Hazazi converted a 43rd-minute penalty. Naft’s attempts to strike back appeared to be headed for disappointment only for substitute Motahhari to volley in superbly with only four minutes remaining.

    Manager Ali Reza Mansourian’s troops continued to push and they were rewarded in fine style when Brazilian defender Padovani headed in just before injury time.

    The result left Shabab bottom on two points, victory in the return fixture a must in three weeks.

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