AFC Champions League Elite
Shabab Al Ahli dominated from start to finish, with first half goals from Kauan Santos and Guilherme Bala securing the three points for the Emirati side.
#ACLElite | Shabab Al Ahli (UAE) 2-0 Al Gharafa SC (QAT)
“It was a very good win for our team against opponents who have been performing very well in the league – this makes our victory more significant,” said Sousa.
“We had excellent control of the game and created many scoring opportunities- both from set-pieces and transitions.”
“We had excellent control of the game and created many scoring opportunities- both from set-pieces and transitions.”
Sousa also stressed the importance of squad management moving forward.
“We have come close to advancing from this stage and now the focus is recovering as many players as possible, especially since we have very few available due to national team commitments.”
“We have come close to advancing from this stage and now the focus is recovering as many players as possible, especially since we have very few available due to national team commitments.”
The win moved Shabab Al Ahlii to 10 points, keeping them firmly on course for the next stage while Al Gharafa head coach Pedro Martins reflected on the challenging start that set the tone for the match.
“Our first 15-20 minutes cost us two goals from two mistakes and the team wasn’t fully comfortable with key players missing. But after that we balanced the game and fought hard,” said Martins.
“Our first 15-20 minutes cost us two goals from two mistakes and the team wasn’t fully comfortable with key players missing. But after that we balanced the game and fought hard,” said Martins.
“We took risks in the second half and created chances and gave everything until the final whistle but we couldn’t match Al Shabab’s intensity.
“Our goal also is to advance to the next stage. We have a very good group and I’m very proud of the players and the team because we did everything.”
Al Gharafa remained on three points after their fourth straight defeat and will look to rebound when they take on UAE’s Al Wahda FC on December 22 with Shabab Al Ahli taking on Qatari side Al Saad SC.
“Our goal also is to advance to the next stage. We have a very good group and I’m very proud of the players and the team because we did everything.”
Al Gharafa remained on three points after their fourth straight defeat and will look to rebound when they take on UAE’s Al Wahda FC on December 22 with Shabab Al Ahli taking on Qatari side Al Saad SC.
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