AFC Champions League Elite
Steven Bergwijn starred with a brace, with further goals from Houssem Aouar and Marwan Al Sahafi sealing the win for the Saudi Pro League side. Simon Banza netted a late consolation for UAE’s Al Jazira.
Al Jazira made the brighter start, with Felicio Milson seeing his curling effort deflected over the bar by Danilo Pereira’s timely interception in the fourth minute.
Milson threatened again three minutes later, drifting in from the flank before cutting into the box, only to see his shot blocked by the Al Ittihad defence.
The UAE side, however, were left stunned in the 12th minute after failing to deal with Moussa Diaby’s cross from the right, with the loose ball falling perfectly for Bergwijn to volley past goalkeeper Ali Khaseif.
Al Jazira tried to respond through Milson, but the Angolan’s curling long-range effort sailed narrowly over the bar in the 18th minute before he failed to find the target with another attempt three minutes later.
Bergwijn added more frustration for Al Jazira in the 39th minute with Diaby again the architect as he threaded a pass through to the Dutch forward, who sidestepped his marker before curling a composed finish into the bottom right corner.
PS: Al Jazira FSC (UAE) v Al Ittihad Club (KSA)
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Al Jazira’s woes deepened after the restart with Al Ittihad extending their advantage in the 54th minute when Jan-Carlo Simic’s glancing header fell perfectly for Aouar, who calmly slotted the ball past a rooted Khaseif.
Cosmin Olaroiu’s side thought they had pulled one back in the 61st minute when Willyan Rocha met Ruben Canedo’s cross with a diving header, only for Danilo Pereira to clear the ball on the line.
Al Sahafi netted Al Ittihad’s fourth in the 69th minute after finishing a well-worked buildup from the left, with Youssef En-Nesyri’s cutback finding the midfielder for a simple close-range finish.
Al Jazira pulled one back through Banza in the 80th minute but Al Ittihad held firm to seal a deserved victory.
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