AL AIN // Al Ain remain confident they can get a result against Lokomotiv in Uzbekistan next month to continue on their quest for a second Asian Champions League crown.
The UAE side, continental champions in 2003, were held to a goalless draw at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium on Tuesday night in the first leg of their quarter-final clash. They now take on Lokomotiv, current leaders of the Uzbek top flight after 19 rounds, in Tashkent on September 13 knowing an away goal could prove vital in sealing a last-four berth.
And, despite manager Zlatko Dalic’s concerns about Al Ain’s lack of fitness – Tuesday’s match was their first competitive fixture of the season – defender Ismail Ahmed insists his side have enough of a base to build on for the return leg.
“We needed to win this game, but it was also important we didn’t concede a goal,” he said. “This is very important for us. We still have one more game there and hopefully we will qualify.
“The second game will not be like the first. They will also need to score in the next match. We will go there with a big chance to get the victory and go through. All the time, Al Ain believe in themselves.”
Al Ain created enough chances to emerge victorious from the first leg, but could not apply the finishing touch. Their best opportunity fell to Danilo Asprilla 10 minutes from time, yet the Colombian winger shot straight at Ignatiy Nesterov, the Lokomotiv goalkeeper, when he really should have scored.
Substitute Ibrahim Diaky had a chance late on, too, only to direct his header from Asprilla’s cross over the visitors’ crossbar. However, the veteran midfielder saw enough from his side to believe they can still advance to the semi-finals.
“It’s the first game, nothing is lost,” Diaky said. “Of course, we’re not satisfied with the result. But I’m sure with the quality we have in the team, that we’ll get ready for the next match and then go to Uzbekistan and qualify.
“We know exactly what we have to do in Uzbekistan to get a result. I believe I have confidence in my teammates. It will not be an easy game, but I’m sure when we go there we will give everything we have and that we can qualify.”
Al Ain will need to be wary of Lokomotiv, though. The Uzbek league leaders are unbeaten in both their domestic league and in this year’s Champions League, as they seek to continue their historic run through the tournament. Prior to this season, Lokomotiv had never progressed beyond the group stages.
They provided an example of their talent against Al Ain on Tuesday and were unlucky not to nick a vital away goal. Speaking after the match, Lokomotiv captain Timur Kapadze said: “I have to congratulate all my teammates as we played a difficult match. It is a fair result. A draw is good away from home, so I think we will qualify in the next match.”
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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