(MENAFN- The Peninsula) THEAFC.COM — DOHA
Iraq's Al Shorta recorded their first-ever AFC Champions League win, defeating Al Ahli Saudi FC 2-1 at the 2020 AFC Champions League Group A yesterday. Al Ahli had already qualified to the Round of 16 going into Matchday Four but needed a point to secure the top spot in the group, while for Al Shorta, beating Al Ahli would mean they would need just one point against Esteghlal in Matchday Five to progress. After a lively start from both sides at Doha's iconic Khalifa International Stadium, it was Al Shorta who struck first as centre-back Saad Natiq escaped his marker and met Ali Fayez's out-swinging cross from the corner with a powerful header that left goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais helpless in the 14th minute.
Coach Vladan Milojevic's words at the break seemed to have worked magic as Al Ahli came racing out of the blocks after the restart. Al Shorta's defences finally yielded to Al Ahli's sustained pressure as Mohammed Al Majhad collected Marin's sublime pass on the left flank, cut inside, making his was past two Al Shorta defenders before drilling one into the bottom right corner of Basil's goal to bring the scores level in the 56th minute. Coach Abdulghani Shahd's men regrouped and within eight minutes they had restored their lead.
Kudhur Ali advanced down the right wing and sent a low cross for Mazin Fayyadh who kept his composure to beat Al Owais at his near post and make it 2-1 before the midway point of the second half. Al Shorta controlled the rest of the proceedings and Abdulamir nearly got one against his former club, but the skipper watched his thunderous effort from 30 yards out punched away by Al Owais five minutes from time as the Iraqis secured their 2-1 win at the final whistle. The result means Al Shorta move ahead of Esteghlal and into second place with four points. A draw against the Islamic Republic of Iran side on Sunday will be enough for Shahd's men to secure passage to the knockout stages for the first time in their history.
Meanwhile, a late goal from substitute Pedro Conde gave Shabab Al Ahli Dubai a second consecutive 1-0 win over Shahr Khodro FC in Group B, yesterday. The two sides went head to head again after they had faced each other on Monday in a match that was decided by a piece of individual brilliance from youngster Hareb Abdalla. The result sees debutants Shahr Khodro eliminated from the AFC Champions League having yet to get a point or score a goal, while Shabab Al Ahli is sitting in third place with six points.
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