Video: Al Ain hand Al-Ittihad a taste of Al-Nasr's cup in the AFC Champions League Elite
Al-Ittihad crashed to a heavy defeat on home soil in front of their own fans, beaten 4-1 by UAE side Al-Ain in the fourth round of the AFC Champions League Elite. The Saudi side continued to bleed points, gifting their guests another win that tightened their grip on top spot in the West group.
The result echoed Al-Nassr's experience in the opening round, when they went down 4-0 to Al-Ain at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium. This time Al-Ittihad drank from the same cup, shipping four goals against the Emirati outfit. Al-Ameed tried everything to avoid defeat. Nothing worked.
Read also: Video: Joao Felix sprinkles his magic with Al-Nassr with exciting contributions and figures
Kaku opens the goal fest: Al-Ain strike twice
Al Ain made their presence felt early and broke the deadlock in the 17th minute. Alejandro Romero "Kaku" unleashed a superb strike that rattled Al-Ittihad's net, handing his side the advantage and tearing up the hosts' plans inside the opening minutes.
The Emirati side doubled their lead before the break. Rafael Rodriguez struck in the 42nd minute to send Al Ain into half-time two goals to the good, leaving Al-Ittihad with a mountain to climb in the second period.
Marwan Al-Sahafi revives hope: Simeunović disrupts Al-Ittihad's plans
Al-Ittihad came out for the second half chasing the game, and Marwan Al-Sahafi pulled one back in the 53rd minute. Houssem Aouar's decisive pass set him up, handing the Dean's fans fresh hope and a chance to level.
Al-Ain's reply was swift. Jan Carlo Simić turned the ball into his own net in the 58th minute, restoring the two-goal cushion. The own goal piled the pressure back on the hosts, who had only just started to find their feet after Al-Sahafi's strike.
A penalty completes the four, and Al-Ittihad pays the price for stumbling
Al Ain landed the final blow in the 90th minute. Matias Palacios stepped up and converted the penalty for a fourth goal, wrapping up a 4-1 win and confirming their dominance over the Dean on a miserable Asian night for the hosts.
The result lifts Al Ain to 12 points, clear at the top of the West group in the AFC Champions League Elite. Al Ittihad stay frozen on 4 points in ninth. The Saudi side have squandered a golden chance to climb in front of their own fans, and now their qualification maths looks a whole lot harder.
