Omar Abdulrahman, patience and a rocking stadium: How Al Ain can win the Asian Champions League final

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Choi Young-su / Reuters

Christopher Pike / The National

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Ahead of the second leg of the Asian Champions League final, John McAuley looks at how Al Ain can overturn the 2-1 deficit to Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and become continental champions for a second time.

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Abdulrahman lives up to his billing

Irrespective of Al Ain capturing the title, Omar Abdulrahman is expected to seal individual honours next week, with the playmaker the runaway favourite to be crowned Asian player of the year in Abu Dhabi. The second leg therefore provides a golden opportunity for the UAE’s golden boy to cement his standing. Against Jeonbuk last week, Abdulrahman was employed as a false nine, an experiment that proved rather unsuccessful. Of course, he set up Al Ain’s goal, and forced one fine save from Jeonbuk’s Kwon Sun-tae, but he did not exert his usual control. On Saturday, Abdulrahman should revert to a deeper role to wreak havoc, and for that, he must most probably again attempt to shake off man-marker Choi Chul-soon. The match requires a captain’s contribution.

Support cast take their chances

With Abdulrahman allowed to operate slightly further back, it offers the opportunity for Al Ain’s No 10 to do what he does best: create chances for teammates. Caio, Danilo Asprilla and Douglas will be the men looking to prosper. The latter has been much maligned at Al Ain, despite a Champions League record that boasts five goals this year, but his header in the semi-final first leg showed he can rise to the occasion. Meanwhile, Caio was not at his best last Saturday, although he has already proved in the competition that he possesses a knack for important goals. And Asprilla may have nabbed the precious away goal, but he can be frustratingly wasteful. All three need now to be ruthless.

Keep Jeonbuk’s Brazilian duo in check

In Jeonju, the hosts’ main threat came from the flanks. Leonardo was not a constant threat, but the tournament’s second-top scorer this year still supplied a match-winning performance, scoring both his side’s goals to turn the tie on its head. His first, a brilliant strike after he cut in from the left, confirmed his quality. The second, meanwhile, took his tally to 10 goals in his past 13 Champions League appearances. On the opposite wing, Ricardo Lopes was a real menace, always willing to take on an Al Ain opponent, continually cutting inside to present problems for the away defence. As such, brothers Mohammed Fayez and Fawzi Fayez must be strong at full-back, while Asprilla and Caio need to offer assistance in tracking back, too.

Recognise that patience is key

At 2-1 down, Al Ain require only a 1-0 victory to take the trophy on away goals. Thus, the tie is delicately poised, so they should approach the second leg with caution. Admittedly, an early goal would set back Jeonbuk and quickly galvanise the home support, but there is no need to be hasty. The South Koreans are a talented team and, as mentioned, have players to hurt Al Ain — including star midfielder Lee Jae-sung — so the hosts must be smart from the off. And should Jeonbuk score, Al Ain have to simply keep calm and plot their way back into the match. Zlatko Dalic will be keen to ensure his side maintain cool heads throughout, as difficult as the magnitude of the occasion makes that.

Rock the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium

As previously noted, home support can play a crucial role in enhancing a team’s chances. It is particularly applicable in East Asia, as reflected last Saturday, when the Jeonju World Cup Stadium reverberated throughout to the beat of the Jeonbuk faithful. Afterwards, Leonardo praised the club’s fans for helping drag their players back into the game. Al Ain need similar backing. Their supporters are known as some of the most vociferous in the UAE, yet are also among the most demanding. That can add to the already sizeable pressure on the Garden City side, who are competing for the continent’s premier club prize while attempting to end a 13-year wait for a second crown. The fans must get behind them; conversely, Al Ain must give them something to shout about.