Zlatko Dalic has apologised to Al Ain’s supporters for his side’s exit from the semi-finals of the Asian Champions League.
The UAE club were victorious in the second leg at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium on Tuesday night, winning 2-1, but it was not enough to prevent Al Hilal progressing to the final on a 4-2 aggregate.
Dalic conceded the damage was done two weeks previously in the initial fixture in Saudi Arabia, when Al Ain conceded three goals in 10 second-half minutes. During that spell, they also had goalkeeper Khalid Essa sent off. His replacement, Dawoud Sulaiman, saved the subsequent penalty.
Al Ain’s elimination extends their wait for a second trophy to 11 years – they won the competition when it was rebranded as the Asian Champions League in 2003 – and means they have not progressed past the semi-final stage since 2005.
Video: Scenes from the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium
Dalic is confident his club can make amends next year, with Al Ain having qualified for the 2015 tournament courtesy of their President’s Cup final victory over Al Ahli in May.
Last year, the Croat was the coach at Hilal and guided the Saudis through to the knockout stages before they lost in the last 16 to Qatar’s Lekhwiya.
“Thank you to our fans who gave us a huge support,” Dalic said. “I’m sorry because we lost our chance to make the final in the first game in Riyadh. For 10 minutes my team blacked out and we were punished there. We tried everything against Hilal. I’m sorry.
“I’m disappointed also. Last season I was between 16 teams in the Champions League; this season, I’m between four teams. Inshallah, next season, it’ll be the final.”
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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