Al Ain’s 11-year wait to return to the AFC Champions League final is over after brothers Omar and Mohamed Abdulrahman struck during a breathless 5-3 aggregate victory against dogged Qataris El Jaish.
With a 3-1 first-leg advantage in hand, the peerless Amoory’s composed effort prior to the hour mark appeared to be sending the Boss back into Asia’s showpiece event at a canter. But a double from dangerous Brazilian forward Romarinho – a thorn in their side from both Group D-defeats – cranked up the pressure at Doha’s Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium.
Sibling Mohamed Abdulrahman then rose from the bench to smash home at the second attempt deep into injury-time, securing a meeting with South Koreans Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors or FC Seoul next month.
A brave tactical change by coach Zlatko Dalic –who appeared utterly drained in his post-match press conference – gained full reward and he will now plot to better the chasing given to his club by Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad in 2005.
“Mabrook to all Ainawy and for the final,” the overjoyed Croatian said. “Hard luck to El Jaish, they fought until the last minute.
“We had control in the first half. We had changed our tactic because El Jaish needed to score a quick goal.
“Now we have to be ready for this game. Another big team awaits us from South Korea.
“But tonight we will enjoy our success and tomorrow we will think about that game.”
Opposite number Sabri Lamouchi was both gracious and grateful in defeat, praising a squad who had far exceeded a previous club-best run to the round of 16.
فيديو : اهداف #الجيش 2 - 2 #العين #دوري_أبطال_أسيا #الجيش_العين pic.twitter.com/hL9bfrHHtf
— قناة الكأس (@alkasschannel) October 18, 2016
He said: “First of all I want to congratulate my players because they did a great, great job – we saw the small details in experience and quality.
“It was a great adventure in the AFC Champions League. We made a great job and now I want to congratulate Al Ain and say good luck for the final.
“All the Gulf is behind you.”
The first shock of the night came when the teams were announced for this semi-final decider. Out went red-hot Boss centre forward Douglas and the usual 4-2-3-1 formation, with superstar playmaker Omar Abdulrahman deployed as an unforeseen ‘false nine’ in a 4-3-3.
Al Ain were set-up to do more with less possession and erratic Colombian winger Danilo Asprilla twice forced excellent low saves when played in from Qatar goalkeeper Khalifa Ababacar, who was determined to make up for his crucial late error in last month’s opening skirmish.
The breakthrough finally came on 57 minutes. It was apt the outstanding Omar Abdulrahman was the man to force it, placing home when given time in the penalty box by Caio’s cute pass at the end of a rapid counter-attack.
His effort made it 4-1 on aggregate and put the 2003 winners firmly on track for a meeting with East Asia’s finest.
Yet a bumpy road lay ahead. Romarinho’s deflected shot soon found the bottom corner, before a cleanly-hit effort found the same spot to make it 4-3 with 10 minutes left.
Despite the tension, the next goal was to come at the other end. Replacement Mohamed Abdulrahman was present to fire in his own rebound at the death, making it 2-2 on the night and sealing a third outing in Asia’s premier fixture.
