How the UAE sides got on in the AFC Champions League play-offs?

Former Asian Champions League winner’s Al Ain suffer shock defeat, whilst Al Wahda seal their place in the group stage. 

Henk Ten Cate worked his magic as his side booked their place in this year’s AFC Champions League group stage after coming from a goal down to beat Al Zawaraa.

The Red Giants dominated possession and had chances early on but struggled to find a way past a tough Gulls defence who sat deep, looking to hit their opponents on the counter.

Unlike the first half the visitors came into the second with a bit more fight in their performance and deservedly went ahead one minute from the restart, Alaa Abdulzahra headed home to open the scoring.

However, just past the hour mark, the hosts sealed the comeback. 2017 player of the year Omar Khribin calmly slotted past goalkeeper Jalal Hassan before Ibrahim Khali’s stunning long range strike sealed a vital victory.

Al Wahda join Qatari side Al Rayyan, FC Goa of India and start their campaign when they visit Iranian side Perpolis on Wednesday in Group E.

The Abu Dhabi side reached the group stage of the ACL last year but were unable to travel to compete in the tournament after several team members were tested positive got COVID-19, which meant the team had to withdraw.

Credit: The AFC

Iranian side Foolad last appeared in this competition in 2015 but stunned UAE giants Al Ain to a 4-0 triumph in the AFC Champions League play-offs.

The Emirati side came into this game having not lost an ACL playoff game and were looking to enter the group stages for the 16^th time in their history.

The visitors started the game the better out of the two teams and early pressure paid off. Saleh Hardani met Farshad Ahmadzadeh to finish off a well worked team goal. The Iranian side wasted no time doubling their lead four minutes into the second half, Luciano Pereira climbed the highest to nod his side into the comfort zone.

It slowly started to get worse for the Boss side when Ayanda Pataosi netted the third with a superb half volley just before the hour mark to put more misery on Al Ain. A mix up at the back late on led to Pereria Mendes capitalising to score his second and Javad Nekounam’s fourth on the night.

Al Ain, who won this competition in 2003 and last reached the final in 2016, will miss out on playing the preliminary round of the competition for the first time since 2012.

Foolad join a tough group of Al Nassr, Al Wehdat and Qatari Al Sadd who they clash with on Wednesday.

Pedro Emanuel finished third last season in the Arabian Gulf League table, qualifying for the ACL but are sixth, five points of top four with only three games left.