Al Jazira extend Asian Champions League misadventures with loss to bottom-feeding Saudi side

Al Jazira's Khalfan Mubarak tries to evade an Al Fateh defender during their Asian Champions League match in Al Hasa, Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, March 14, 2017. Courtesy Al Jazira FC

Al Fateh 3-1 Al Jazira

Fateh: Al Zaqaan 11’, 50’, Al Juahaim 45’

Jazira: Mabkhout 39’

Man of the match: Ali Al Zaqaan (Al Fateh)

Flying high in the Arabian Gulf League, Al Jazira are finding the Asian Champions League a considerably tougher nut to crack.

The Abu Dhabi club, top of the pile domestically, are still rooted to the bottom of their continental pool, their third successive Group B defeat coming against Saudi Arabia’s Al Fateh on Tuesday night. That the Saudi side currently sit last in the Saudi Pro League only added to the ignominy.

For Jazira, it was a 14th Champions League appearance without a win, a run that stretches back just shy of three years. The UAE’s leading side, they were comfortably second best at the Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium, losing 3-1 and presenting Fateh with a series of other golden chances.

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Finally for the Saudis, they are off the mark, registering their first victory in the continent’s premier club competition.

Their road to success began quite early. On 11 minutes, winger Ali Al Zaqaan was afforded plenty of time and space on the edge of the visitors’ penalty area, his low shot then bouncing off Jazira’s post and past a rooted Khalid Al Senani. The reserve goalkeeper, standing in for injured UAE international Ali Kasheif, had little chance.

Fateh had another couple of straightforward opportunities to add to their tally before Jazira pegged them back. Six minutes from half-time, Ali Mabkhout chased down the ball as it found its way to Abdullah Al Owaishir in the home goal, but the goalkeeper thrashed it inexplicably off the 2016/17 Arabian Gulf League’s top scorer. It cannoned into the empty net, gifting Mabkhout the easiest of his season’s goals.

Jazira’s delight, however fortunate, was short-lived. Moments before the break, a slip by Fares Juma allowed Hamad Al Juahaim to head home. The Fateh forward had minutes previously wasted a simple chance, but he swiftly atoned.

Shortly after half-time, the match was effectively over, Jazira’s embarrassment complete. Al Zaqaan’s dipping free kick from 30-plus yards flew into the net, brushing off Al Senani’s gloves en route. This time, he had to shoulder a large portion of the blame.

Jazira flirted with getting back into the tie, with Mabkhout going closest, but in truth it was always Fateh who looked the more likely to score. Abdullah Al Ammar maybe should have had a goal too, yet the officials ruled that Al Senani had repelled the header before it crossed the line. Five minutes from time, Al Zaqaan nearly claimed his third of the evening.

Jazira had claimed an unwanted third themselves, stretching their 2017 Champions League run to three matches without so much as a point earned.

It should be remembered that Al Jazira’s priorities lie domestically, as reflected in their decision to omit recent signing Leonardo from the Champions League squad. The capital club six points clear in the Arabian Gulf League with five rounds remaining. Yet, much to Jazira’s regret, this was another chastening outing in Asia.

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