Al Ain rout Al Nassr 4-0 in AFC Champions League Elite opener
Al Ain opened their AFC Champions League Elite league-stage campaign with a convincing 4-0 win over Saudi side Al Nassr at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, with Soufiane Rahimi setting a new club record.
Al Ain dominate opening group fixture at Hazza bin Zayed
Al Ain produced a commanding performance at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium on Tuesday, defeating Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr 4-0 in the opening round of the AFC Champions League Elite league stage. The victory handed the Abu Dhabi club their first three points of the campaign and a statement of intent in their group.
The scoring began in the 25th minute when El Hassan Rahimi found the net to give Al Ain the lead. He doubled the advantage in the 63rd minute, converting a second opportunity to make it 2-0 and shift the tie firmly in the hosts’ favour.
Soufiane Rahimi added a third for Al Ain in the 72nd minute. The goal carried added significance: according to Al Ain’s official website, Soufiane Rahimi became the club’s all-time leading scorer in the AFC Champions League with 19 goals. His strike reinforced both his personal standing in the competition and Al Ain’s attacking credentials on the continental stage.
The rout was completed in the 85th minute when Giorgos Giakoumakis slotted home to make it 4-0, sealing a comprehensive victory for the Abu Dhabi side. The result underscored Al Ain’s clinical finishing across the match and left Al Nassr with work to do as the group stage progresses.
With the three points secured on home soil, Al Ain will look to build momentum as the AFC Champions League Elite campaign continues. The emphatic win at Hazza bin Zayed provides a solid platform for the club as it aims to advance from the league stage of Asia’s premier club competition.
The match highlighted the contributions of Al Ain’s forwards, notably the Rahimi duo and Giakoumakis, whose combined efforts provided the decisive goals. For Soufiane Rahimi, the milestone of 19 AFC Champions League goals represents a notable chapter in his club career and a record that will be referenced as the tournament progresses.
Source: WAM