There will be no UAE representative in the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League for the first time in five years after Al Ain limped out of the tournament thanks to an aggregate 8-3 thrashing by Al Duhail.
Up against it from a 4-2 defeat at home in the first-leg, the Boss were marched out by a ruthless display of precision from the hosts, who will now have designs on the overall title.
A ghastly game from the Garden City side
They may be the cream of the crop back home, but Al Ain’s milky performance against Duhail over two legs proved that there remains some way to go for them to rise to the top on the continent.
The Boss have been to the semi-finals of the Champions League in two of the last four seasons and reached the quarter-finals a year ago.
And even though entry to the last eight this year beckoned, they never looked remotely close to beating Qatar’s champions and launching another assault on an elusive second continental title.
While heartbroken compatriots Al Jazira were left to rue contentious refereeing and bad luck that saw them heroically exit on away goals at Iran’s Persepolis on Monday night following a 4-4 aggregate draw, there was no such saving grace for Zoran Mamic’s men to fall back on. They were soundly beaten.
The 2017/18 season ends on an anti-climactic note for the Arabian Gulf League champions – who reclaimed their throne and lifted a record-extending 13th domestic title. They added a seventh President’s Cup title and had been eyeing an unprecedented treble. But such lofty dreams were dashed in epic fashion in Doha.
In truth, a demoralising 4-1 defeat on the night and an 8-3 trouncing overall wasn’t even remotely harsh on the visiting side – with the writing on the wall as early as the 12th minute when Mohamed Ahmed tried to deal with a dangerous cross but could only prod past prone goalkeeper Khalid Essa.
Plenty for the domestic double winners to contemplate over the summer months ahead of next season.
Al Ain won a double domestically, but further glory will not follow in Asia.
Contrast in fortunes and form of both team’s playmakers
Omar Abdulrahman is the golden boy of UAE football, and was Asia’s crown jewel in 2016, too. But his sizeable fall from grace was evidenced here by how he could only occupy the shadow of Duhail’s dazzling Nam Tae-hee.
Just as Al Ain were second best to their impressive hosts in the second leg and overall in this tie, Abdulrahman’s influence paled in comparison to his opposite No10 who tortured the Boss with probing passes and evasive maneuvering.
It’s amazing to consider that Nam won’t be going to the World Cup with South Korea.
The two shared the same pitch but might as well have been playing in separate stadiums, such was the gulf in class between their performances.
Amoory grazed the outside of the post in his one flash of brilliance, something that has stayed hidden for much of this season.
He somehow collected a fourth Emirati Player of the Year accolade at the Arabian Gulf League Awards last week, despite falling way short of the exceedingly excellent standards he has set in both UAE and Asian football over the last decade.
A season marred by poor form and injury yielded the least domestic league assists (four) since 2014/15 (two) and the joint second fewest of his career since bursting onto the scene eight years ago.
He only featured in 13 games, his third lowest total. But his five goals were his fourth-best tally.
Nam was the QNB Stars League’s player of the season a year ago, putting former Barcelona string-puller Xavi in the shade. On Tuesday night it was Abdulrahman who he cast a dark cloud over.
Lead Duhail to the final and he should usurp him as Asia’s finest creator, too.
Omar Abdulrahman’s influence on Al Ain this season has been diminished.
Are we finally set for a western winner?
There hasn’t been a West Asia winner of the Champions League since Al Saad hoisted the trophy high seven years ago.
Since that 4-2 penalty shootout triumph over South Korea’s Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in 2011, teams from the east have outscored the west 8-3 in finals.
But the way Duhail ruthlessly cast aside the champions of the UAE on Tuesday night opens up the distinct possibility that the barren run could be ended this year.
In truth, western region teams have been more than a match for their counterparts from the east in recent years, on paper at least.
Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal were immeasurably more talented than rank outsiders Western Sydney Wanderers in 2014, but were beaten by the Australian’s grit and determination.
A lack of big game experience denied a supreme Al Ahli side victory in 2015, Cosmin Olaroiu’s men shaking off a dismal campaign domestically to reach the final, but they were unable to overcome an experienced group who were in their second final in two years.
In 2016, Al Ain simply didn’t seem to possess the mental fortitude to overcome a Leonardo-inspired Jeonbuk – with fellow Brazilian forward Douglas left broken by a fluffed penalty in the second leg of the final that proved to be the catalyst to his side’s downfall.
The tougher rounds are ahead. And Duhail will surely face a sterner test in the quarter-finals than the one provided by the Boss.
But on this evidence it will take something special to stop the newly-amalgamated side from becoming the second Qatari champions of Asia.
South Korea schemer Nam Tae-hee can lead Al Duhail to overall Asian glory.
