MUSCAT, OCT 29
Al Nahda’s hopes of reaching the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League Two suffered a setback as Qatar’s Al Rayyan struck twice in each half to claim a 4-1 victory at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex on Wednesday.
The Omani side briefly threatened a comeback when Mohammed al Ghafri converted a second-half penalty, but Al Rayyan responded with two further goals to leave the hosts bottom of Group C with one point from three matches.
Wesley Ribeiro and Youssef Ayman gave the visitors a two-goal advantage before the interval. Al Ghafri reduced the deficit in the 59th minute, only for Gabriel Pereira and Ibrahim al Hassan to put the result beyond reach. Al Nahda also finished with 10 men following Harib al Saadi’s dismissal in the 80th minute.
Al Nahda were forced onto the back foot almost immediately as Wesley opened the scoring in the third minute, giving Al Rayyan an early foothold in the contest.
The hosts were still searching for a response when Ayman doubled the advantage in the 19th minute, heading home Ibrahim al Hassan’s delivery to strengthen the Qatari side’s grip on the match.
Al Nahda attempted to work their way back into contention, but their efforts brought no reward before the break as Al Rayyan took a 2-0 lead into the dressing room.
PENALTY DRAMA
The home side were handed an opportunity to reduce the deficit early in the second half when they were awarded a penalty. Jameel al Yahmadi stepped up in the 52nd minute, but goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada saved his effort to preserve Al Rayyan’s two-goal cushion.
Al Nahda continued to press and earned another penalty seven minutes later. This time, Al Ghafri took responsibility and converted to bring the hosts within a goal.
The breakthrough revived Al Nahda’s challenge and lifted hopes of a recovery, but their momentum was checked just five minutes later.
Pereira restored Al Rayyan’s two-goal lead in the 64th minute with a powerful strike from outside the penalty area, leaving the hosts with another difficult task.
Al Nahda’s prospects faded further when Oman international midfielder Al Saadi was sent off with 10 minutes remaining.
Al Rayyan made their numerical advantage count, with Al Hassan completing the scoring in the 87th minute through a long-range effort.
GROUND TO MAKE UP
The defeat was Al Nahda’s second in succession in the competition, following their 2-0 loss away to Jordan’s Al Faisaly. They had opened their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabia’s Al Taawoun.
At the halfway stage of the group phase, the Omani club remain fourth with one point, two behind Al Faisaly and five adrift of second-placed Al Rayyan.
Al Taawoun lead the group on seven points after their 2-0 victory over Al Faisaly in Amman on Wednesday.
Al Rayyan’s win in Muscat took them to six points, adding to their opening 4-3 victory over Al Faisaly. The Qatari side had lost 2-1 to Al Taawoun on matchday two.
With three group matches remaining, Al Nahda still have points to play for, although their margin for error has narrowed considerably. Greater defensive discipline and sharper finishing will be essential if they are to revive their challenge for a place in the knockout stage.
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