By Michael Church
(Reuters) – Holders Al-Ain slumped out of the Asian Champions League Elite on Monday as the side from the United Arab Emirates lost 2-1 to Qatar’s Al-Rayyan to end their hopes of a place in the last 16 with one round of group games remaining.
Second-half goals from Mahmout Trezeguet and Roger Guedes saw Al-Rayyan fight back from going behind to Alejandro Romero’s 42nd minute opener for the home side, who needed to win to harbour any remaining chance of reaching the knockout phase.
The loss was Al-Ain’s fifth in seven games and, after Iraq’s Al-Shorta drew 1-1 with Esteghlal of Iran in Tehran, the reigning champions sit bottom of the 12-team table on two points.
Sides finishing in the top eight in the league phase in both west and east Asia progress to March’s knockout rounds.
Al-Ain’s elimination comes nine months after the club claimed the continental crown for the second time, defeating Japan’s Yokohama F Marinos over two legs in the final in May.
But the defence of their title has been shambolic and Al-Ain lost in front of their own fans at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium after taking the lead on the counter attack through Romero’s curling first-time strike into the top corner.
Trezeguet levelled five minutes into the second half when he controlled Murad Naji Hussein’s cross from the right before slotting beyond goalkeeper Khaled Eisa.
Guedes then took advantage of Al-Ain’s slack defending 15 minutes from time, the Brazilian given the space to allow Adam Bareiro’s throw to roll onto his left foot and slot home.
Al-Shorta’s draw with Esteghlal, which came as Rewan Amin cancelled out Joel Kojo’s fourth minute opener for the Iranian hosts, keeps the Iraqis’ slim chances alive until Tuesday, when Persepolis take on Al-Hilal and Al-Gharafa play Pakhtakor.
The league phase in west Asia has been dominated by clubs from Saudi Arabia and that continued on Monday as Al-Ahli handed Qatar’s Al-Sadd a 3-1 defeat to remain in first place while third-placed Al-Nassr won 4-0 against Al-Wasl of the UAE.
Roberto Firmino, Roger Ibanez and Riyad Mahrez were on target for Al-Ahli, who fought back from going behind to a first minute goal by reigning Asian Player of the Year Akram Afif.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice after Ali Al-Hassan had given Al-Nassr the lead in Riyadh and Mohammed Al-Fatil added a late fourth for a side who, like Al-Ahli, have already booked their berth in the next round.
(Reporting by Michael Church, Editing by Ken Ferris)
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