Alkass Digital
Head coach Nicolas Cordova said Al Rayyan’s calmness under pressure propelled the Qatari side to beat FC Istiklol 3-2 in their AFC Champions League 2022 Group A fixture on Friday.
Al Rayyan fell behind early in the contest when Mukhammadzhon Rakhimov put Istiklol in front. However, Yacine Brahimi pulled one back before a Yohan Boli double steered the Qatar Stars League side to three points.
“This is the first match for us and playing Istiklol was a challenge from the start,” said Cordova, whose side failed to win a match in last year’s edition. “We conceded the goal very early but our plan to control the game and keep possession was effective and we reaped the rewards at the end.”
Istiklol were a threat from the very beginning but their dominance diminished as the match wore on, allowing Al Rayyan to take advantage through set-pieces. With three points in the bag, Cordova admitted the early pressure has subsided and more attention can be placed in preparing for their next match.
“We stayed composed and focused throughout the 90 minutes. Our ability to stay in control especially after they (Istiklol) scored in the second half was key to staying one step ahead. The players did well and we stuck to the game plan which made us score through set-pieces from a free-kick and corner. It’s a good result for us to prepare for the next match.”
Losing the first match in the AFC Champions League group stage can be tough and Istiklol head coach Mubin Ergashev promised improvements in the next match. “It was a tough game for both teams. We scored first but afterwards faced problems defensively and that forced us to concede the lead,” said Ergashev.
“Congratulations to Al Rayyan for the win, they played very well. We came back after the break and scored the second goal but ultimately luck was not on our side. Our players were overwhelmed but we will focus on the shortcomings from this game and turn our attention to the next match.”
Istiklol will face Sharjah tomorrow, while Al Rayyan take on defending champions Al Hilal.
Gracia commends nine-man Al Sadd after Nasaf draw
Head coach Javi Gracia expressed his pride in his side’s performance as nine-man Al Sadd held out for a 1-1 draw against FC Nasaf in their opening match of the AFC Champions League 2022 Group E in Dammam on Friday.
The Qatari champions found themselves a goal and a man down half an hour into the game after Abdelkarim Hassan received a direct red card, having brought down Shahzod Akramov when he was through on goal. Nasaf took immediate advantage, opening the scoring through a Pedro Miguel own goal.
Al Sadd battled to equalise through Boualem Khoukhi’s header early in the second half, but Miguel’s night went from bad to worse as he followed in the footsteps of his fellow full-back Hassan, heading for an early bath after a second bookable offence, leaving Gracia’s side struggling with nine men.
“It was a tough game,” said the Spaniard. “We started well, maintaining possession and creating 2-3 chances, but we did not take them and after that, things changed because we were down to 10 men, then to nine. I can say I’m really proud of the effort of my players because we competed very well despite the two red cards. We showed a good mentality. We had to defend, and we did it. One point is not enough, but I’m proud of my players.”
Al Sadd will now have to face Group E hosts Al Faisaly next without both starting full-backs, but Gracia was adamant the most difficult part was behind his side already. “We knew before coming and starting this competition that we are going to need all the players in the squad. We were not sure when, but we knew in the next five games we will need them. I trust all my squad. The moment we suffered and had to make an extra effort was when we were two men down, but the next game will not be a problem.”
Returning to the AFC Champions League after a four-year absence, Nasaf had a mountain to climb against a team that had reached the semi-finals twice in the past five years, but head coach Ruzikul Berdiev felt this was an opportunity missed for his team.
“There were a lot of moments in the match. It is not so bad to have a draw with Al Sadd, but the way the match unfolded, we should have won,” said the 2011 AFC Cup winning manager.
“Both teams had a lot of moments in the game, and both could have won with a one-goal difference. Before the match, we could agree that this a point won, but now I can say these are two points dropped. We were not able to take our chances, but we must Al Sadd are a very strong team,” he added.