Zlatko Dalic's delight at his Al Ain's first-leg victory over El Jaish in the semi-finals of the 2016 AFC Champions League was tempered by conceding an away goal that gives the Qatari side a glimmer of hope going into next month's return clash in Doha. Al Ain notched up a 3-1 in front of their own fans thanks to a stellar performance by captain Omar Abdulrahman, who scored with a fine free kick and was involved in the build-up for the other two goals as the club from the United Arab Emirates took a massive stride towards securing a place in the final. But a penalty from Uzbekistan international Sardor Rashidov in the 52nd minute ensures El Jaish still have a foothold in the game and took some of the gloss off the comprehensive win for Al Ain's Croatian coach. "I'm very happy with the victory but I'm disappointed with the goal that we conceded in the second half," said Dalic, who took Al Ain to the semi-finals of the competition in 2014. "The reason behind the drop in our performance was because the players were tired while our opponents had good control in midfield." Al Ain put on a blistering performance in the first half as Douglas headed the home team into the lead in the 16th minute after a surging run and cross by Abdulrahman caught out the El Jaish defence. Five minutes later Abdulrahman doubled the lead with a dipping, curling free kick that gave El Jaish goalkeeper Khalifa Ababacar no chance as Al Ain threatened to run away with the game. Romarinho went close to emulating Abdulrahman at the other end for El Jaish, hitting the crossbar in the dying moments of the first half as Sabri Lamouchi's side finally started to fight back. Seven minutes after the restart they had halved the deficit thanks to Rashidov's spot kick after a handball by Ismail Ahmed but, despite several close calls, they were unable pull level and Al Ain punished them late in the game when Caio scored from close range after Ababacar had flapped at Abdulrahman's cross. "The first half was marvellous for us as we did all that we wanted and scored two goals," said Dalic. "I told the players that we must be careful because we are playing against a strong side and they indeed scored a goal. "The goal that we conceded will not reduce our joy of victory, especially that it was at home. The return match in Doha will be open for the two teams but we will be hoping to get another victory there." Photo: Lagardère Sports
