Al Ain need a Plan B, a top-class striker and a Lee successor: Asian Champions League final talking points

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Al Ain’s hopes of winning a second Asian Champions League title were dashed on Saturday evening when a 1-1 draw in the second leg at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium ensured Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors emerged victorious 3-2 on aggregate. John McAuley offers his thoughts on the big talking points and looks at what Al Ain must do to bounce back from the disappointment.

Abdulrahman’s Plan B

Omar Abdulrahman’s big night became his big regret. The Al Ain captain was expected to provide the performance to cap a brilliant 2016 with the Champions League title. A star turn from the UAE’s leading light. However, he found the going difficult throughout the second leg at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium. For that, much credit must go to Choi Chul-soon, Jeonbuk’s specialist right-back tasked with man-marking him. The ploy clearly worked. Now, though, Abdulrahman must learn from it and come up with a solution to what could become a common conundrum. Arguably Asia’s finest player this year, it is up to him to work that out. Al Ain, too, need a Plan B. Stop Abdulrahman, and they are significantly blunted.

• Omar Abdulrahman watch: Al Ain's magician unable to sprinkle his magic on Asian Champions League final

Striking the right chord

Douglas blazed his penalty over the crossbar, and with it, Al Ain’s chances of a second Champions League crown disappeared into the night. Yes, the hosts had other opportunities, but the Brazilian’s miss ultimately cost them the title. It marked the nadir in what has been a frustrating time at Al Ain for Douglas. Granted, his record for the club reads a very respectable 27 goals in 38 matches, but he appears not to be a striker capable of firing his side to major honours. He is certainly not the man for the big occasion. How Al Ain wish they had someone of Asamoah Gyan’s ilk. When all is said and done, it feels as if they were only a truly top-class frontman away from finally regaining Asian club football’s most coveted trophy. A real shame.

• Reaction: Zlatko Dalic in 'shock' after Asian Champions League final defeat but Al Ain 'must recover'

Shallow support cast

Al Ain’s squad looks rather thin on the whole. When chasing the game and needing a goal to force extra-time, the hosts brought on Mohammed Abdulrahman and Ibrahim Diaky. Saeed Al Kathiri was considered, but he is hardly the sort of forward required to rescue a match of that magnitude. Al Ain are short of back-ups of real pedigree, game-changing substitutes to come off the bench and reverse a result. Earlier this season, Zlatko Dalic lamented the depth of the squad. Other than Amer Abdulrahman, Al Ain have not attracted top-bracket Emiratis of late: their reported summer pursuit of Ali Mabkhout would have been fraught with difficulties, but imagine the statement that would have made. Imagine, as well, Mabkhout in the team for this Champions League run. It most probably would have been the difference.

• Analysis: Big match nerves prove telling: Al Ain's wait for second Asian Champions League title goes on

Finding Lee’s successor

Lee Myung-joo was Al Ain’s best player on Saturday. The South Korean midfielder not only scored the equaliser to galvanise his side and breathe life back into the tie, but he excelled in closing down space in the centre of the park, while often providing the link-up play as Al Ain moved forward. Lee leaves the club at the end of this season, when he returns to his homeland to complete national service. He will be a significant loss to the club, a consistent performer for the past two and a half years whom the manager trusts intrinsically. So Al Ain must decide whether to find an adequate replacement or rely upon Ahmed Barman and Amer Abdulrahman to form a strong enough partnership to compensate. Either way, they should be assessing likely successors now.

• More reaction: Al Ain 'played a fantastic game, we deserved to be champions', insists Borimir Perkovic

The need to rebound — and fast

Al Ain’s players trudged through the mixed zone after the match on Saturday night, none stopping to offer their thoughts, their devastation obvious. Dalic later confirmed the mood in the camp and said his main job now is to lift his side for the season ahead. Undoubtedly, it will be difficult. On Wednesday, Al Ain take on Al Dhafra in the Arabian Gulf League, the beginning of a run that comprises eight matches in 32 days. Furthermore, their Champions League commitments mean they are already playing catch-up in the league. However, Al Ain must look to emulate rivals Al Ahli. Last season, the Dubai club were reeling from losing the Asian final, but rebounded to be crowned UAE champions. Al Ain should take inspiration from that.

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