AFC Champions League Elite
The win took UAE’s Shabab Al Ahli to a perfect six points while Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad were left seeking their first victory, having opened their campaign with a draw against Al Shamal SC of Qatar last month.
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Backed by a capacity crowd, the home side started positively with Ahmed Al Julaydan forcing Matheus Donelli into a save from a tight angle in the sixth minute.
Shabab Al Ahli, however, struck from the resulting play a minute later when Guilherme Bala powered down the left channel and deep into the box before teeing-up the unmarked Azmoun to slot home, with the goal confirmed following a VAR review.
Shabab Al Ahli, however, struck from the resulting play a minute later when Guilherme Bala powered down the left channel and deep into the box before teeing-up the unmarked Azmoun to slot home, with the goal confirmed following a VAR review.
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Al Ittihad looked for an immediate response, with Steven Bergwijn testing Donelli from distance in the 13th minute, but the visitors doubled their advantage three minutes later.
Reza Ghandipour, who had only just replaced the injured Bala, released Azmoun with a through ball and the forward outpaced his markers before rounding Steven Bergwijn and converting from a tight angle.
Reza Ghandipour, who had only just replaced the injured Bala, released Azmoun with a through ball and the forward outpaced his markers before rounding Steven Bergwijn and converting from a tight angle.
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Shabab Al Ahli then went close to adding a third in the 19th minute on the counter-attack, only for Jahnoah Markelo to flash his effort across the face of the goalmouth.
Al Ittihad’s patience was almost rewarded in the 21st minute, with Bergwijn forcing Donelli into a superb save before George Ilenikhena saw his headed attempt kept out four minutes later as Shabab Al Ahli took a comfortable advantage into the break.
Al Ittihad’s patience was almost rewarded in the 21st minute, with Bergwijn forcing Donelli into a superb save before George Ilenikhena saw his headed attempt kept out four minutes later as Shabab Al Ahli took a comfortable advantage into the break.
MD2: Al Ittihad Club (KSA) v Shabab Al Ahli (UAE)
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The Saudi Pro League side came out with greater intent after the restart, with Youssef En-Nesyri testing Donelli with a headed attempt, before Ilenikhena saw his shot from inside the box flash across the face of goal just before the hour mark.
Al Ittihad’s determination finally earned them a goal in the 66th minute after Richard Ríos received Marwan Al Sahafi’s layoff from just outside the area before the former finished with a powerful strike past Donelli.
Al Ittihad’s determination finally earned them a goal in the 66th minute after Richard Ríos received Marwan Al Sahafi’s layoff from just outside the area before the former finished with a powerful strike past Donelli.
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Despite their best efforts to find the equaliser, Al Ittihad fell short with Rios firing Houssem Aouar’s cut-back just over the bar in the 88th minute before Saleh Al Shehri spurned another chance in stoppage time.
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