Dalic happy with Al Ain champion reply

Away draw against Uzbek team leaves The Boss needing victory from last game to ensure ACL progress

Al Ain coach Zlatko Dalic praised his side’s resilience as they bounced back from an early concession to draw 1-1 away to Uzbekistan’s Nasaf Qarshi in their penultimate Asian Champions League group game on Tuesday.

The hosts went ahead inside the first minute when Maksud Karimov tapped the ball in at the back post from Artur Gevorkyan’s corner.

Danilo Asprilla then equalised for the visitors just after the half-hour when he drove a shot into the bottom corner following a bursting run into the box.

Victory for Al Ain would have confirmed their qualification for the last 16 early, but the draw leaves them needing to win at all costs in their final group game at home to Nasaf on May 3 if they are to avoid being leapfrogged to second.

“From their first attack we conceded, but gradually we showed our character,” said Dalic. “We always strive for victory, but the quick goal broke our plans.

“In an environment where you are away from home and the fans are against you, it’s not easy to get back into the game. We could have scored more after the equaliser, but couldn’t take our chances.

“The draw kept our chances of reaching the next stage alive and now we will try to win at home,” added the Croatian.

In Group D’s other game, already qualified El Jaish of Qatar lost 4-1 at home to Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli. If Al Ahli can beat El Jaish at home in their final game on May 3 and Al Ain draw or lose at home to Nasaf, the Saudis will advance. Meanwhile, Nasaf will need to beat Al Ain and hope Al Ahli are beaten or held by El Jaish if they are to qualify.

Elsewhere, already eliminated Al Jazira lost 3-1 at home to Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor Tashkent in Group C on Tuesday. advantage

Important penalty

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Ali Mabkhout’s penalty after the hour cancelled out Sherzod Karimov’s early opener before Igor Sergeev’s brace on 64 and 83 minutes.

The result leaves Pakhtakor just a point off second-placed Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia after the Saudis lost 2-0 at home to now qualified Tractor Sazi of Iran. Al Hilal must now win their last game away to the Iranians on May 3 to ensure Pakhtakor don’t overtake them with a win at home to Al Jazira.

“We had a good match against Pakhtakor and we didn’t deserve to lose,” said Al Jazira coach Henk ten Cate. “I want to thank the players for what they showed and for the effort they have put in today although I’m not happy with the result.”