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Al Jazira out of contention despite 2-0 win over Tractorsazi

Al Jazira’s hopes of qualifying to the final 16 of the AFC Champions League were ended tonight despite a hard-fought 2-0 win over Iranian side Tractorsazi Tabriz in Abu Dhabi. Luis Milla’s third win since taking charge of the club increased their points total to 5 in Group A of the tournament, but 2nd-placed El Jaish of Qatar qualify with their current total of 8 due to a preferential record in head-to-head clashes with Al Jazira, regardless of the UAE club’s result in the final group match next week.

The visitors started with purpose, trying their best to spring an early surprise on Al Jazira goalkeeper Ali Khaseif, but the home side took a quick lead at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, with Brazilian striker Ricardo Oliveira netting for the hosts in the 7th minute. Oliveira capitalized on a defensive error from Tractorsazi as they tried to return the ball to their keeper, but the Al Jazira targetman harried well and stole the ball away to put it in the back of the net. In the 38th minute Ali Mabkhout had a great opportunity to double the lead after meeting a cross from Matias Delgado, but Tractorsazi’s goalkeeper pulled off a stunning stop to deny the UAE national team striker and keep the score down to 1-0 at half time.

From the offset of the second half, Ali Mabkhout almost extended Al Jazira’s lead having sped past his marker but he failed to convert, and Ricardo Oliveira also wasted a handful of opportunities; most notably from a Subait Khater cross. In the 67th minute Matias Delgado unleashed a shot from outside the area which just whizzed over the crossbar, and in the 76th minute the Brazilian Fernandinho forced a good save from Tractorsazi’s goalkeeper. In the 87th minute Ali Mabkhout missed a gilt-edged chance after catching the goalkeeper out with a ball at his feet, and it was a long wait from Oliveira’s early opener until Al Jazira cemented the win with a second goal, as Subait Khater got on the scoresheet in the 90th minute with a powerful shot to make it 2-0.