News Center

Al Jazira come back with a historical win; Al Nasr lose to Saudis side Al Ahli

 

Abu Dhabi - based Al Jazira came back home from Tehran with an invaluable and historical win, the first of its kind, after beating Al Istiqlal of Iran 2-1. The two goals were scored by Juma'a Abdullah and Brazilian Bary apiece in the match held tonight on Azadi pitch within the third round of the AFC Champions league. The winners raised their tally to nine points to top Group "A" while the losers remain in second position with 4 points.

Al Jazira started the game with high ambitions to win and retain their leadership and their players worked hard from the very beginning to make this dream come true. They did not rely on defensive tactics but played a balanced and an attacking football losing some scoring chances. Al Jazira defender Juma'a Abdullah put his side into the lead only five minutes from the word go with a perfect header off the stand ball that crossed by Delgado. This early goal boosted the morals of Al Jazira players and made their rivals to double their efforts to level the score. The Iranians pressed hard but failed to find the back of the net as Al Jazira defenders and goalkeeper Ali Khusaif spoiled all their attempts, and at the same time the winners went on their attempts trying to score more goals. Bare came close to score the second goal in the 31st minute but his shot rebounded off the upright. Arsh Burhani also lost a lovely chance for the Iranian side in the 36th minute when he sent a strong volley from inside the six yard area but Ali Khusaif saved bravely. Burhani also missed another sitter five minutes later to end the first session with a 1-0 win for Al Jazira.

The two teams continued their endeavors after the breather and the Iranians pressed hard but they squandered a handful of chances due to lack of concentration. The upright also deprived Burhani from scoring the equalizer in the 57th minute before the ball being cleared away by a defender. But the Iranian player Azadi brought the game to parity with a left footer that deflected into the net by defender Juma'a Abdullah in the 68th minute. Al Jazira coach brought in Saleh Basheir to replace Argentinean player Delgado two minutes later. Bare netted the winner in the 72nd minute when his countryman Ricardo Oliveira received a perfect pass  on the left flank, rounded up the advancing goalkeeper Rahmati, crossed the ball to his unmarked teammate Bare who did not hesitate to slam it home to made it 1-1. Al Istiqlal started looking for the equalizer and their player Samuel lost a last chance when his header went just near the upright to end the game with a 2-1 win for Al Jazira.

 

In the third group match played tonight at Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai, Al Nasr lost 1-2 to Al Ahli of Saudi Arabia. Victor Simoes opened the score for the visitors in the 27th minute and his teammate Tayseer Al Jasem added the second goal five minutes after the break. Amara Diane reduced the deficit two minutes later to make it 2-1. The hosts pressed hard afterwards trying to level the score but they lost all the chances that came their way especially Amara who lost some easy sitters.

Al Ahli moved to second position after raising their tally to 4 points, three points behind leaders Sepahan of Iran who defeated Lekhwia of Qatar this evening 2-1 while Al Nasr slipped to third spot with three points.