Al-Nassr equalled their worst-ever defeat within the AFC Champions League Elite as Houssine Rahimi scored in both half to assist Al-Ain beat the reigning Saudi Professional League champions in either side’ opener at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium.
Former Morocco youth worldwide Rahimi despatched a low shot towards a submit from a decent angle early on earlier than intercepting Saad Al Nasser’s misjudged backpass to fit within the Twenty fifth-minute opener.
Rahimi’s medical first-time end from Alejandro Romero’s right-wing cross doubled the UAE Pro League membership’s benefit within the 63rd minute, with one other incisive move from the winger permitting Rahimi’s brother, Soufiane, to internet with a ruthless strike 9 minutes later, allowed following a prolonged Video Assistant Referee assessment.
Greek ahead Giorgos Giakoumakis accomplished the scoring by exchanging a one-two with Soufiane Rahimi and firing in from contained in the field with 5 minutes remaining.
The worldwide break means Al-Nassr are usually not in motion once more till they host Diriyah within the league on October 9 (19:00 BST).
Al Ain vs Al Nassr: AFC Champions League distress for Ronaldo
Al-Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo had a quiet recreation as his crew suffered a second successive away defeat following their 2-1 loss at Al-Ittihad within the Saudi high flight on September 5.
Ronaldo might need sensed this could not be a contented night when the five-time Ballon d’Or winner was despatched tumbling at pace by Ramy Rabia shortly after Rahimi struck the woodwork.
The 41-year-old briefly required remedy and unsuccessfully appealed for a penalty, having been knocked off stability on his means contained in the field as a part of a fair-looking problem that started outdoors of the penalty space.
Al-Ain goalkeeper Khalid Eissa pushed Inigo Martinez’s header away as Al-Nassr threatened to open the scoring however Al Nasser’s inexplicable error was a present for Rahimi, rolling the ball straight to the recipient contained in the field to slide a right-footed drive by goalkeeper Nawaf Al Aqidi’s legs.
Rahimi had a cool first-time end dominated out for a transparent offside earlier than the unlucky Al Nasser, who was additionally booked, was changed by Rakan Al Ghamdi at half-time.
The change made little distinction to the momentum on an emotional event for the scoring brothers, who misplaced their father, Mohamed, earlier this month following an extended sickness.
Al Nassr outcomes: Postecoglou facet battle once more
New Al-Nassr head coach Ange Postecoglou noticed his facet draw a fantastic save from Eissa late on by Angelo’s shot however, along with his facet now on a three-match winless run and two factors off the tempo within the Saudi Professional League, the Australian may have a lot to replicate on in the course of the early pause within the season.
One comfort is that this consequence could not show damaging within the Champions League, wherein Al-Nassr will play an preliminary eight matches and want to complete among the many high eight groups within the 16-club desk.
Their subsequent match within the competitors is at house to Uzbekistan Tremendous League crew Neftchi Fergana on October 12 (19:15 BST.
Al Ain crew vs Al Nassr
Al-Ain beginning XI: Khalid Eissa, Rafael Rodrigues, Yahya Ben Khaleq, Djordje Skoko, Kaku, Houssine Rahimi, Valentino Lazaro, Matios Palacios, Soufiane Rahimi, Ramy Rabia, Abdoul Traore
Al-Ain substitutes: Mohammed Bu Sanda, Marcos Andre, Georgios Giakoumakis, Erik, Baba Ilou, Hassan Muhammed, Junior, Ismaila Okpoti, Amadou Niang, Joshua Udoh, Hamid Mohammed, Adis Jasic
Al Nassr crew vs Al Ain
Al-Nassr beginning XI: Nawaf Al Aqidi, Abdulelah Al Amri, Abdullah Al Khaibari, Saad Al Nasser, Nawaf Boushal, Inigo Martinez, Samu Costa, Mohamed Simakan, Sadio Mane, Joao Felix, Cristiano Ronaldo
Al-Nassr substitutes: Bento, Nader Al Sharari, Hayder Abdulkareem, Abdullah Al Hamddan, Sami Al Naji, Angelo, Majed Qasheesh, Abdulrahman Al Otaibi, Rakan Al Ghamdi, Saad Haqawi, Sultan Al Mas, Awad Aman
