AFC Champions League Elite
Mahmoud Al Mawas scored five minutes into the second half for the hosts before Lucas nodded in a late second to cap a miserable tournament for the two-times Asian champions, who completed their eight group stage matches with two points.
Al Shorta’s hopes of progressing to the last 16 had already been extinguished ahead of kick off due to Pakhtakor’s victory over Al Sadd earlier in the day but Mohamed Semida’s team salvaged some pride with a first win in the competition moving them onto six points.
Mohannad Ali saw his early effort blocked as Al Shorta sought a way through although, as both sides cancelled each other out in a tepid opening, opportunities at either end were few and far between.
Indeed, it was Ali who again threatened as the halfway point in the first period approached but the Iraq international dragged his low shot harmlessly wide of Mohammed Bu Sanda’s right post.
Boubacar Moumouni headed into the side netting before, moments later, flashing a drive narrowly off target as the hosts continued to build momentum although the Niger midfielder was soon substituted due to the linger effects of an earlier head knock.
It took until first half injury time for the defending champions to create an opening, Sekou Gassama squirming his attempt wide from 14 yards out while Mohamed Awad Alla went even closer, thumping his shot against the Al Shorta crossbar seconds before the whistle.
Five minutes into the second half, however, Al Shorta went in front. Ameer Sabah’s looping long throw deep into the penalty area was flicked on by Ayoub Mouddne and Al Mawas responded quickest to sweep a right foot shot into the bottom corner of Bu Sanda’s goal.
Ali should have added a second for Al Shorta when he found himself in space behind the Al Ain defence with only Bu Sanda to beat, but he somehow pulled his attempt wide of the goalkeeper’s right post.
Al Ain’s Gassama had a rare sight of goal with 14 minutes remaining but could only find the hands of goalkeeper Ahmed Basil with a shot from 20 yards while Mateo Sanabria and Abdoul Karim Traore threatened in the dying stages.
Four minutes into added time substitute Lucas rose to head in Al Shorta’s second from Al Mawas’ corner to confirm the Iraqi side would take the points.
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