Big names set for nervous final matches
Lessons from latest AFC Champions League week
on target and commanding his area well. More of this and he may get a few more opportunities in the league. At the very least, Al-Ahli have two good goalkeepers in good form.
LONDON: With just two games remaining in the AFC Champions League group stage, here are the five things Arab News learned from this week’s action in the continental tournament.
Shanghai SIPG of China and South Korea’s Jeonbuk Motors have been tearing it up in the eastern side of the draw and already look to be the teams to beat. A western equivalent has yet to present itself. Qatar’s Al-Duhail are the only team in the four groups to have maximum points from the four games, but the Doha side are not in the toughest of groups. There is still a long way to go from now until November and there will be a new West Asian season in place by the time the final rolls around. There is plenty of time for a team to emerge but at the moment, the west is still waiting for its best. both Al-Ain and Al-Hilal would jump over the first hurdle into the knockout stage. Nobody would have imagined that both UAE and Saudi Arabian giants would still be winless after playing four games each. At least one is going to fall by the wayside and they way things are going, it could be both. looked to be hurtling to the second round but successive 1-1 draws against Al-Gharafa have slowed them down. Al-Ahli have scored just five goals in four games. The absence of Omar Al-Somah through injury is a blow. They wasted chances against Al-Gharafa and the absence of the talented Syrian was plain to see. Against the Qataris on Tuesday, Al-Ahli had 30 percent more possession but just could not put the ball in the back of the net. Against better teams, Al-Ahli would have been punished for their wastefulness. Al-Somah is fit again and will be available for the quarterfinals, should Al-Ahli get there. If they do, they will need the Syrian. Fans in Saudi Arabia will remember Western Sydney Wanderers very well indeed as the A-League team defeated Al-Hilal in the 2014 final. Overall, however, the performance of Aussie teams in Asia has been very mixed. Hopes were high ahead of Sydney FC’s attempt this year as the team dominated the A-league last season and this. Two points from four games is the disappointing return. Coach Graham Arnold is the man who has built Australia’s best team, but failure in Asia does not bode well as Arnold will take over the national team after the 2018 World Cup.