AFC.com
Al Ahli Saudi FC became the first team to reach the 2020 AFC Champions League Round of 16 thanks to a late Marko Marin goal that earned them a 1-0 win over Iraq’s Al Shorta on Matchday Three of Group A on Monday.
Following the AFC’s COVID-19 Sub Committee for AFC Champions League West decision to consider Al Wahda withdrawn and their matches ‘null and void’, Al Ahli found themselves going into the Matchday Three fixture in need of just three points to guarantee a top-two spot in the now three-team Group A.
In a lively start to the match at Khalifa International Stadium, the Saudis’ first attempt on target came just four minutes into the game with Omar Al Somah heading Abdullah Tarmin’s cross straight into the hands of goalkeeper Ahmed Basil.
Al Shorta delivered a strong response two minutes later, coming within inches of scoring as Karrar Amer rose highest to power a header from Ahmed Jalal’s in-swinging corner, drawing a fine reflex save on the goal-line from goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais.
Iraqi international right-back Ali Mhawi was booked in the 25th minute following a heavy challenge on Al Ahli’s Abdulbaset Al Hindi in the middle of the pitch.
Centre-back Amer continued to be Al Shorta’s main source of threat as he got on the end of another corner, firing goalward from a tight angle, but the number three watched as his effort was saved by Al Owais, and upon receiving the spilled ball Amer hit the side netting in the 33rd minute.
Mhawi’s booking from earlier in the half would prove to be an important moment as the Al Shorta defender used his hand to intercept a Marin pass with seconds left in the opening period, earning a second yellow card and his marching orders.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, Al Shorta piled the pressure on their opponents early after the restart, and within 10 minutes Al Owais was beaten, but Saad Natiq’s towering header cannoned off the crossbar and there was no one to follow through on the rebound.
Al Ahli regrouped and controlled possession for large spells in the remainder of the second half, but with little penetration and dearth of supply to front man Al Somah.
With just four minutes to go, Al Ahli finally found a breakthrough as former Chelsea winger Marin drove into the heart of the Al Shorta defence before an exchange of passes inside the box saw Abdulrahman Ghareeb set up the German with the goal at his mercy. Marin kept his composure to slot him from six yards out to win it for Al Ahli.
The two sides clash again on the same ground on Thursday in Matchday Four.