LONDON: With just two games remaining in the AFC Champions League group stage, here are the five thing Arab News learned from this week’s action in the continental tournament.
AL-AHLl’S TWIN GOALKEEPING POLICY PAYING OFF
Al-Ahli coach Sergei Rebrov has been selecting Mohammed Al-Owais between the sticks for league games but keeping Yasser Al-Mosailem fresh and interested in Asia. The 34-year-old veteran has been performing well in the Champions League, being beaten just three times in four games so far.
The former Saudi Arabia international was impressive against Al-Gharafa on Tuesday, saving six of the seven attempts on target and commanding his area well. More of this and he may get a few more opportunities in the league. At the very least, Al-Ahli have two good goalkeepers in good form.
THERE IS NO OUTSTANDING TEAM IN THE WEST
Shanghai SIPG of China and South Korea’s Jeonbuk Motors have been tearing it up in the eastern side of the draw and already look to be the teams to beat. A western equivalent has yet to present itself. Qatar’s Al-Duhail are the only team in the four groups to have maximum points from the four games but the Doha side are not in the toughest of groups. There is still a long way to go from now until November and there will be a new West Asian season in place by the time the final rolls around. There is plenty of time for a team to emerge but at the moment, the west is still waiting for its best.
WE WILL SAY GOODBYE TO EITHER AL-HILAL OR AL-AIN
The last two defeated finalists — and the two teams that were the best in West Asia — were probably not that happy to be placed in the same group. Most expected that both Al-Ain and Al-Hilal would jump over the first hurdle into the knockout stage. Nobody would have imagined that both UAE and Saudi Arabian giants would still be winless after playing four games each. At least one is going to fall by the wayside and they way things are going, it could be both.
AL-AHLI MISS OMAR AL-SOMAH
After two wins from the opening two games, the Jeddah outfit looked to be hurtling to the second round but successive 1-1 draws against Al-Gharafa have slowed them down. Al-Ahli have scored just five goals in four games. The absence of Omar Al-Somah through injury is a blow. They wasted chances against Al-Gharafa and the absence of the talented Syrian was plain to see. Against the Qataris on Tuesday, Al-Ahli had 30 percent more possession but just could not put the ball in the back of the net. Against better teams, Al-Ahli would have been punished for their wastefulness. Al-Somah is fit again and will be available for the quarterfinals, should Al-Ahli get there. If they do, they will need the Syrian.
SYDNEY STRUGGLES DO NOT BODE WELL FOR THE AUSSIES
Fans in Saudi Arabia will remember Western Sydney Wanderers very well indeed as the A-League team defeated Al-Hilal in the 2014 final. Overall however, the performance of Aussie teams in Asia has been very mixed. Hopes were high ahead of Sydney FC’s attempt this year as the team have dominated the A-league last season and this. Two points from four games is the disappointing return. Coach Graham Arnold is the man who has built Australia’s best team but failure in Asia does not bode well as Arnold will take over the national team after the 2018 World Cup.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK - RIM CHANG-WOO (Al-Wahda)
The team from Abu Dhabi had lost their first three games and were looking down and out. That just made the 3-0 win over Zob Ahan of Iran — second in the group — all the sweeter. Rim, playing at left-back, may not have scored or recorded an assist, but the South Korean was everywhere. Rim never stopped running, pressing, tackling and passing. He set the tempo for the rest to follow.
