It is the halfway point in this year’s Asian Champions League group stages, with the UAE clubs enjoying mixed fortunes. John McAuley assesses their performance thus far.
Group A — Al Ahli
Al Ahli manager Cosmin Olaroiu. Satish Kumar / The National
The UAE champions sit second in a tightly contested group, but if their campaign began well, it has disappointed hugely since. An opening victory at home to Esteghlal came late, secured in the final minute by Makhete Diop, although defeat at Lokomotiv soon followed and then a highly frustrating goalless draw at home to Al Taawoun. Against the Saudi Arabians, they provided one of their worst displays of the season. Granted, there are mitigating factors: Ahli have a number of injuries, with Majed Hassan and Ahmed Khalil key absentees, and the uncertainty behind the scenes has been a real distraction. Remember, they do not currently have a registered Asian, while Asamoah Gyan is struggling for form and fitness. However, Ahli are only two points off top spot and, in Cosmin Olaroiu, boast one of the competition's best managers. That said, right now a repeat of their 2015 run to the Champions League final seems a long way off.
Group B — Al Jazira
Al Jazira, white, lost 3-1 at Al Fateh. Courtesy Al Jazira FC
The Abu Dhabi club's Champions League woes continue. Three matches in, they are rooted to the foot of their group, yet to earn a point. The defeats have been heavy — 3-0 at Lekhwiya and 3-1 at Al Fateh — the 1-0 home loss to Esteghlal Khouzestan hard to take. Jazira have now not won in Asia in 12 matches, dating back to April 2014. However, they have other ambitions. Henk ten Cate's team lead the Arabian Gulf League by six points with five rounds remaining, when a second UAE championship guarantees a place at December's Fifa Club World Cup, in Abu Dhabi. So the rewards for domestic success are great, devaluing somewhat the continental campaign. Ten Cate has admitted as much: Jazira faced title rivals Al Ahli and Al Ain back-to-back this month, so he prioritised. For now, the Champions League can wait. Leonardo, with his 2016 winner's medal, was even omitted from the squad. Secure the UAE crown, though, and that decision seems justified.
Group C — Al Ain
Omar Abdulrahman, right, in action against Bunyodkor. Courtesy: Al Ain FC
For so long the UAE's go-to Champions League club, Al Ain are again proving the cream of the Emirati crop. Admittedly, they sit second in their group too, two points behind Saudi Arabian champions Al Ahli. However, a slow start in the draw at home to Zobahan, when Al Ain dominated but were inexcusably wasteful, prompted a brilliant away victory at Bunyodkor. Then came the gutsy 2-2 draw at Ahli. So they are well placed for another run at the knockout stages. Al Ain, champions in 2003, have much motivation, since they were denied a second Asian crown last November, defeated in the final 3-2 on aggregate by Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. To get close again, the Garden City side must improve their finishing and their home form, yet they have coped well with a slew of injuries, particularly in defence, with and the adaptation to new manager Zoran Mamic. And, of course, they have Omar Abdulrahman, Asia's player of the year, at their heart.
Group D — Al Wahda
Al Wahda are yet to register a win in the group stage. Christopher Pike / The National
Qualification for the knockout stages always represented a huge ask for Wahda, who had to negotiate a play-off simply to make this phase. The Abu Dhabi side, semi-finalists in 2007, were drawn in a doubly difficult group alongside Al Hilal and Persepolis, leaders domestically in Saudi Arabia and Iran, respectively. However, an opening 2-1 defeat to Al Rayyan was perhaps unwarranted, while they conceded twice in the final 10 minutes to lose 3-2 at home to Persepolis. The subsequent home draw with 10-man Hilal — a game labelled "do or die" by manager Javier Aguirre — leaves the UAE club bottom, four points off second. With trips to Hilal and Persepolis to come, the likelihood of advancing to the last 16 for the first time in seven attempts looks slim. Wahda were always considered the Emirates' weakest side in the competition, but they have displayed commendable fight and flair. Hence, they can still have an impact on the outcome of the group.
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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