AFC.com
Al Rayyan boosted their hopes of advancing to the AFC Champions League™ 2022 knockout stage with a 3-1 defeat of Sharjah in Group A on Tuesday.
Caio’s long-range effort cancelled out Salem Sultan’s own goal but Al Rayyan roared back with Steven N'zonzi and Brahimi finding the net as the Qatari side moved to seven points, three ahead of their vanquished opponents. Defending champions Al Hilal lead the group.
Both teams played to a 1-1 draw on Matchday Three, but it was Sharjah who started promisingly in the reverse fixture when they caught Al Rayyan by surprise in the fifth minute, Caio setting up Salem Saleh who forced a save from goalkeeper Fahad Younis.
Al Rayyan took their time to settle into the game, with their first look at goal coming in the 12th minute when Yohan Boli laid the ball for Mohammed Jumaa, who sent his shot wide from inside the box.
Moments later, Jumaa played an instrumental in Al Rayyan’s opening goal when Yacine Brahimi burst into the box, sending a pass that fell to Jumma, whose cross was deflected by Sharjah’s Salem Sultan into the back of his own net.
Sharjah responded in spectacular fashion when a moment of individual brilliance by Caio Lucas in the 18th minute put the Emirati side back into the game after the Brazilian burst down the middle before sending a curling effort from outside the six-yard-box.
Caio failed to find the net for Sharjah just after the half-hour mark when he sent his shot above the bar, while Boli saw his close range effort saved eight minutes later.
Al Rayyan’s perseverance, however, paid off in the 39th minute when N'zonzi directed Brahimi’s corner with a glancing header past Sharjah keeper Adel Al Hosani to give the Qatari side the lead going into the break.
Sharjah started the second half aggressively but couldn’t convert their chances with Saleh seeing his effort saved from inside the box in the 52nd minute, while Otabek Shukurov wasted a golden opportunity when he botched his effort moments later.
The Emirati side suffered more woe in the 61st minute when Luanzinho conceded a penalty after bringing down Hashim Ali inside the box as Brahimi coolly converted from the spot.
Sharjah tried to claw their way back but Al Rayyan were not to be denied.