DUBAI // Everton Ribeiro is confident Al Ahli have the firepower to secure a place in the Asian Champions League quarter-finals next week, after they were held to a 0-0 draw by Al Ain in the first leg, last-16 tie on Wednesday night.
The Dubai club created the better of the chances at the Rashid Stadium, but were unlucky not to score late on when Ismail Al Hammadi struck the crossbar. Majed Hassan, the Ahli midfielder, had earlier gone close, forcing a fine save from Khalid Essa.
Al Ain, boasting the meanest defence in the competition, had opportunities, too, yet Asamoah Gyan and Ibrahim Diaky could not find a way past Ahmed Dida in the opposition goal.
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The tie is delicately poised before Wednesday’s return leg at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, although Ribeiro, the initial encounter’s standout, said he believes Ahli can clinch an away goal to help their bid for a last-eight berth.
“It was a very equal game in front of our fans,” the Brazilian said. “In the end, we are happy with the result and we hope we can do something better in the next match. I think this is a good result. In the next match, we need to play with a little bit more attention and then the goal will come.”
Ribeiro, signed in February for €9 million (Dh36.8m), at first struggled to settle in UAE football, and consequently attracted a considerable amount of criticism. In recent weeks, though, he has been one of Ahli’s most reliable performers.
“When I arrived I was not 100 per cent ready and so I had to do extra work. Finally, I’m feeling better and am playing better,” he said of his improved form. “About the critics, I don’t care. I know what I am capable of. I’ll allow my football to speak for me.”
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