Al Ahli 2-1 Naft Tehran (3-1 agg)
Al Ahli
Lima 26
Khalil 48 (pen)
Naft Tehran
Amiri 50
MOM - Majed Hassan (Ahli)
DUBAI // It was a little uncomfortable at times, much more so than it should have been, but in the end Al Ahli had made it.
Just like 12 months ago, the UAE have a representative in the semi-finals of the continent’s elite club competition, another side within touching distance of being crowned champions of Asia.
Naft Tehran were never really Ahli’s match across both legs in the Asian Champions League quarter-final, but the Dubai club were made to sweat on a humid Wednesday night at the Rashid Stadium, before eventually pouring though. A 3-1 aggregate score-line secure, it ensured Ahli, the knockout-stage novelties, extend their landmark run.
“First of all, we have to say congratulations to the players, they made a big effort,” said Cosmin Olaroiu following his side’s 2-1 home victory. “And congratulations to the management, they reached the biggest performance in the history of the club.
“I was talking with the players before and I told them they represented the UAE, so they went onto the pitch with this motivation. These guys made all Emirati people proud.”
A goal up from the initial encounter in Iran three weeks ago, Ahli remained in the driving seat for the majority. They doubled their advantage midway through the first half, when Rodrigo Lima, scorer of the only goal in Tehran, fired home a thunderbolt from 30 yards. Driving and dipping, it was further endorsement of Ahli’s €7 million (Dh29m) outlay this summer.
Signed from Benfica just before the Champions League deadline in July, Lima has made fast work of his transition. He has struck six goals in five competitive games since. Ahli have a new spearhead, both literally and figuratively.
“Lima is the player that we needed,” Olaroiu said. “He is what we were missing last season. He helps us a lot.”
His strike partner proved just as handy. Ahmed Khalil scored the goals that ensured Ahli advanced beyond the group stages for the first time and the Emirati added another against Naft.
Moments after half time, his enthusiasm prompted Alireza Beiranvand, the visiting goalkeeper, to haul him down in the area. Khalil dusted himself down, stepped up, and coolly dinked the resultant spot-kick into the net.
Yet Ahli let Naft immediately back in, Vahid Amiri prodding home after Walid Abbas’s error. The Iranians threatened a couple of times thereafter, but only fleetingly. And anyway, Ahli remained dangerous on the counter, Everton Ribeiro and Humaid Abbas spurning glorious chances to bloat the result.
Progression sealed, next up for Ahli is a two-legged clash with Al Hilal, conquerors of Al Ain at the same stage 12 months ago. First, a testing trip to Saudi Arabia on September 29, before the return match in Dubai on October 20.
Olaroiu knows well the threat Hilal pose: he managed the lofty Riyadh club, with distinction, between 2007 and 2009. The challenges just keep on coming.
“Hilal is the best team in Asia, so we can expect a very easy game, you know?” said Olaroiu, tongue firmly in cheek. “Especially there it will be very, very difficult. We’ll try our best, like we always do.
“I know them, they know me. We have a special relationship. Whoever is the better team will qualify for the final.”
It is sure to require one more significant push.
“The most important thing now is we don’t have to stop here,” Olaroiu said. “We’ve worked very hard, made many sacrifices. Just now I told the players they have to focus, to concentrate, to do everything and make a bigger performance than they did now.”
VERDICT
Al Ahli deservedly booked their place in the last four, since they were always the superior team across the two legs. They dominated possession and chances in the return leg, but were given a few nervy moments in the final 10 minutes. With Lima and Ribeiro in tandem, and Khalil in support, they will certainly pose Al Hilal problems in the semi-finals. The dream continues.
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