"My team achieved a positive result towards qualifying for the quarter finals. We imposed our superiority through possession and showed our usual level and took our chances well,” said head coach Jaissle.

"This result is important and constitutes a great motivation before the second leg, where what is required is to build on the result of the first leg, and this is what the team will work on.

"We missed many opportunities that could have helped widen the difference but overall, I am satisfied with the outcome.”

Al Rayyan head coach Artur Jorge admitted his side’s inexperience was a reason for the defeat. 

"My team played a good match but the lack of experience is one of the reasons that led to the loss. We played a strong opponent which has an elite group of distinguished players,” said Jorge. 

"My team succeeded in reducing the difference and was close to scoring the second goal in the match. We made some individual mistakes but this is football. Despite everything, we must maintain the spirit, recover from this result and get ready for the return leg.”