Olunga shines for Al Duhail
Doha,
Qatar giants Al Duhail overcame spirited resistance from Iraq’s Al Shorta and their own suspect finishing to clinch a 2-0 win in their opening Asian Champions League match on Thursday.
Hussam Kadhim’s own goal gave Al Duhail the lead in the 36th minute before Brazilian Edmilson Junior 53rd-minute volley helped Sabri Lamouchi’s side grab three points in Jeddah.
The seven-times Qatar league champions dominated the Group C match, although Al Shorta did well to thwart their forwards on most occasions.
But sustained pressure eventually paid off and Al Duhail grabbed the opening goal in the 36th minute, albeit with a stroke of luck.
Kenyan star Michael Olunga let rip following a crisp one-two with Ali Karimi but the ball took a deflection off Kadhim, much to Al Shorta’s despair.
Both Olunga and Iranian Karimi had already missed chances and along with Almoez Ali they caused several anxious moments for the Iraqis.
Al Duhail’s crisp passing created their second goal, with Edmilson applying the finishing touch to Almoez’s assist with a volley from the centre of the box.
Also in Group C, Iran’s Esteghlal also kicked off their campaign in style, thrashing Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli 5-2 in Jeddah with Mehdi Ghaedi grabbing two second-half goals.
Farshid Esmeili put the Iranians ahead in the fifth minute but Omar al-Somah levelled the scores for Al Ahli in the 27th from the penalty spot.
The second half was Esteghlal all the way as goals from Ghaedi, Mohamed Naderi and Cheick Diabate completed the rout.
Elsewhere, three-time champions Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia were held to a 2-2 draw in Group A by Uzbek debutants AGMK.
Al Hilal, who won the title in 2019 and twice when the tournament was called the Asian Club Championship, suffered an early shock at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium in Riyadh.
Mohamed al-Burayk’s ill-advised pass intended for goalkeeper Abdulla al-Mayouf created the opener as Zafar Polvonov stole the ball and slotted it into the empty net in the 11th minute. -AFP
