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AFC Champions League Elite
Fabinho overcame nerves to convert from the penalty spot in the dying seconds of extra-time as Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad ousted UAE's Al Wahda FC 1-0 following an evenly-matched 120 minutes of a tense Round of 16 encounter at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on Tuesday.
#ACLElite | R16 : Al Ittihad Club (KSA) 1-0 Al Wahda FC (UAE)
“This was a very difficult and balanced game between the two teams,” said Al Ittihad tactician Conceicao. “We created chances and we were more dangerous up front but they were defensively resolute.
“I’m very happy with what we have done and proud of the players. The most important thing is that we qualified for the next round."
“I’m very happy with what we have done and proud of the players. The most important thing is that we qualified for the next round."
“The good thing from today is our reaction because we started the game with a lot of pressure but it did not affect the players.
“At the end of the day, the most important thing is the result. After the game, we can analyse the mistakes and how we can improve. Today, I saw a team willing to take on responsibility.”
Al Ittihad’s reward is a quarter-final tie against tournament debutants FC Machida Zelvia of Japan on Friday.
“At the end of the day, the most important thing is the result. After the game, we can analyse the mistakes and how we can improve. Today, I saw a team willing to take on responsibility.”
Al Ittihad’s reward is a quarter-final tie against tournament debutants FC Machida Zelvia of Japan on Friday.
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Losing in the very last moment was a tough outcome for Darko Milanic to swallow after he saw his Al Wahda side battle courageously throughout the 120 minutes with chances to score.
In a game of slim margins, the Slovenian tactician was proud with how his players performed against the star-studded Al Ittihad side in their first campaign on the continental stage since 2021.
“We are sad about the result because we played a good game. We knew we were facing a lot of quality but we did well. Almost reached penalties and that could have been a different story."
In a game of slim margins, the Slovenian tactician was proud with how his players performed against the star-studded Al Ittihad side in their first campaign on the continental stage since 2021.
“We are sad about the result because we played a good game. We knew we were facing a lot of quality but we did well. Almost reached penalties and that could have been a different story."
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“Sad but also proud of the team because they fought and did their best against a tough opponent all over the pitch. We had one amazing chance at the start of the extra time but it wasn’t our day.
“We spoke about the moments in the game with lots of challenges, we knew we wouldn’t create a lot but we knew we could create something and we had to be clinical. We did the first part but could not do the second part.”
“We spoke about the moments in the game with lots of challenges, we knew we wouldn’t create a lot but we knew we could create something and we had to be clinical. We did the first part but could not do the second part.”
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