Al Nahda hopes to reach AFC Cup final dented by Al Ahed
Published: 04:04 PM,Apr 25,2024 | EDITED : 08:04 PM,Apr 25,2024
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MUSCAT, APRIL 24
Oman’s Al Nahda's hopes to reach the AFC Cup 2023-24 final was dashed by Lebanon’s Al Ahed as they played out a 2-2 draw in the second leg of West Asian zone final match late on Tuesday in Muscat at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex.
The first leg match ended in Iraq last week for the Lebanese side by 1-0. Al Ahed secured slot in the final AFC Cup with a 3-2 aggregate win and they will either face Australia's Central Coast Mariners or FK Abdysh Ata Kant of Kyrgyz Republic in the AFC Cup final which is scheduled on May 5 in Muscat.
Both Al Ahed goals in the Muscat leg was scored by Lee Erwin who delivered a crucial triumph to his team. The first half ended in a goalless draw between both sides before the deciding half featured four goals.
Omar al Malki put Al Nahda ahead as he netted the opening goal in the 53rd minute after he received the ball from Salah al Yahyaei. Lee Erwin managed to return Al Ahed to the game as he equalised in the 82nd minute after hitting a strong shot that found the target. Five minutes later, the same player doubled the lead for Al Ahed as he got a pass from Mohammed al Hallaq to convert it into another goal in the 87th minute to make it 2-1.
Al Nahda’s response was very quick as they managed to equlaise in the dying minutes through Walter Bwalya to set the result at 2-2. However, it was not enough for Al Nahda to draw as they were supposed to win the match with goal difference.
Al Nahda head coach Hamed al Azani congratulated Al Ahed club for their qualification to the final of the AFC Cup. “I regret to all Al Nahda fans. We reached to this stage in the AFC Cup which is a good step. I would like to thank all the players for their top technical efforts throughout the event. In both games, Al Ahed club were lucky enough to score and we could not score and the time ran out to score in today’s clash. I am fully satisfied with the team despite the result in both matches,” he concluded.
On the other hand, Mohammad Raafat, coach of Al Ahed club, dedicated the win to the Al Ahed fans. ' We are very pleased with this accomplishment to qualify for the final. Al Nahda were very tight opponents but we managed to win the game,' the head coach added.
'There were very small details in the game and our players managed to work on them and snatch the win to move into the final. I congratulate all Al Ahed fans for this great achievement and we are looking forward for another achievement. Will promise to do our best to win the title,' the Al Ahed coach said.
Oman’s Al Nahda's hopes to reach the AFC Cup 2023-24 final was dashed by Lebanon’s Al Ahed as they played out a 2-2 draw in the second leg of West Asian zone final match late on Tuesday in Muscat at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex.
The first leg match ended in Iraq last week for the Lebanese side by 1-0. Al Ahed secured slot in the final AFC Cup with a 3-2 aggregate win and they will either face Australia's Central Coast Mariners or FK Abdysh Ata Kant of Kyrgyz Republic in the AFC Cup final which is scheduled on May 5 in Muscat.
Both Al Ahed goals in the Muscat leg was scored by Lee Erwin who delivered a crucial triumph to his team. The first half ended in a goalless draw between both sides before the deciding half featured four goals.
Omar al Malki put Al Nahda ahead as he netted the opening goal in the 53rd minute after he received the ball from Salah al Yahyaei. Lee Erwin managed to return Al Ahed to the game as he equalised in the 82nd minute after hitting a strong shot that found the target. Five minutes later, the same player doubled the lead for Al Ahed as he got a pass from Mohammed al Hallaq to convert it into another goal in the 87th minute to make it 2-1.
Al Nahda’s response was very quick as they managed to equlaise in the dying minutes through Walter Bwalya to set the result at 2-2. However, it was not enough for Al Nahda to draw as they were supposed to win the match with goal difference.
Al Nahda head coach Hamed al Azani congratulated Al Ahed club for their qualification to the final of the AFC Cup. “I regret to all Al Nahda fans. We reached to this stage in the AFC Cup which is a good step. I would like to thank all the players for their top technical efforts throughout the event. In both games, Al Ahed club were lucky enough to score and we could not score and the time ran out to score in today’s clash. I am fully satisfied with the team despite the result in both matches,” he concluded.
On the other hand, Mohammad Raafat, coach of Al Ahed club, dedicated the win to the Al Ahed fans. ' We are very pleased with this accomplishment to qualify for the final. Al Nahda were very tight opponents but we managed to win the game,' the head coach added.
'There were very small details in the game and our players managed to work on them and snatch the win to move into the final. I congratulate all Al Ahed fans for this great achievement and we are looking forward for another achievement. Will promise to do our best to win the title,' the Al Ahed coach said.