Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Manama: Brazilian striker Elias scored nine minutes from time to earn Bahrain’s Al Muharraq a place in the quarter-finals of the 2016 AFC Cup thanks to a 1-0 win over two-time champions Al Faisaly on Wednesday.
The 2008 winners were second best for much of the game but substitute Elias scored from close range in the 81st minute to ensure Isa Al Hamdani’s side go into next month’s draw for the last eight of the competition.
“We had a strong match today despite all the pressure that we had,” said Al Hamdani. “The players played a good match technically and they managed to finish with a good win to qualify for the quarter-finals of the competition.
“We made several changes in the second half which changed the match for us. We made too many defensive mistakes which gave Al Faisaly the chance to create some chances but we managed to score at an important moment.”
Al Faisaly, AFC Cup champions in 2005 and 2006, were on top for much of the 90 minutes, but for all their superiority Feras Al Khalaileh’s side were unable to claim the goals their dominance deserved.
Felipinho sent his shot just wide in the opening exchanges before Yaseen Al Bakheet created Al Faisaly’s first opening in the 14th minute when he stole possession inside the Al Muharraq half before driving towards goal, only to fire off a shot that gave Abdulla Al Kaabi few problems.
The Jordanians were on the front foot throughout the first half and, four minutes later, Al Kaabi was called into action again, this time dropping to his right to push Baha Abdelrahman’s free kick from 25 yards around the post and away to safety.
Despite Al Faisaly having the better of the first half, neither side was able to find a way through and the stalemate continued well into the second period.
Ra’ed Fraeh caused concern in the Al Muharraq backline when he ran towards goal only to shoot over the bar from a tight angle from six yards out while another Abdelrahman free kick flew over the bar.
The game looked to be heading for extra time as the deadlock continued but, in the 81st minute, Ismaeel Hassan cut back along the Al Faisaly goal line before rolling the ball into the path of Elias and there was little chance the Brazilian would miss from three yards out.
As the final minutes counted down Al Faisaly grew increasingly desperate and, as a result, left gaps at the back.
Husain Mohamed should have done better when he bore down on goal, only managing to find Mohamed Shatnawi’s arms with his low shot before Maher Al Jada fired just over the bar at the other end before referee Rowan Arumughan blew the whistle to send Al Muharraq into the next round.
“We played well tonight but if you don’t take advantage of your chances, then you can’t win,” said Al Khalaileh. “I’m satisfied with the performance of our players but we just couldn’t score from the chances we created.
“We have had a problem with the frontline throughout the season and our players couldn’t score from easy chances. Muharraq took advantage of playing at home and the match was very hard for us because we were playing away.”
Photo: Lagardère Sports