emirates7 - Al Ain of the UAE advanced to the FIFA African-Asian-Pacific Cup after a high-scoring victory against Auckland City at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium. Hernan Crespo's side faced some tense moments against their determined New Zealand opponents but ultimately secured their place in the next stage of the FIFA Intercontinental Cup.
Despite most expecting a one-sided match, Al Ain quickly took control with a 2-0 lead in the first 11 minutes. Their first goal came from Fabio Cardoso, who headed in unmarked after a defensive lapse by Auckland. The second was a powerful 25-yard strike by Sekou Baba Gassama into the bottom corner.
Although a rout seemed likely, Auckland City regained their composure, launching several strong attacks. They reduced the deficit before halftime with Jerson Lagos scoring directly from a corner, as his inswinging cross found the net off the far post. Al Ain restored their two-goal lead just before the break when Matias Palacios calmly chipped the ball in.
Auckland continued to press, narrowing the gap again through Myer Bevan’s close-range finish after a well-worked move. The Kiwis nearly equalized when Lagos hit the crossbar from another set piece, prompting Crespo to bring on substitutes. Soufiane Rahimi, Morocco’s top scorer from the recent Men’s Olympic Football Tournament, responded with a decisive header from Matias Segovia's cross.
Rahimi scored again in stoppage time, sealing the victory, while Alejandro Romero added a stunning sixth goal with a long-range curling left-foot shot.
Despite most expecting a one-sided match, Al Ain quickly took control with a 2-0 lead in the first 11 minutes. Their first goal came from Fabio Cardoso, who headed in unmarked after a defensive lapse by Auckland. The second was a powerful 25-yard strike by Sekou Baba Gassama into the bottom corner.
Although a rout seemed likely, Auckland City regained their composure, launching several strong attacks. They reduced the deficit before halftime with Jerson Lagos scoring directly from a corner, as his inswinging cross found the net off the far post. Al Ain restored their two-goal lead just before the break when Matias Palacios calmly chipped the ball in.
Auckland continued to press, narrowing the gap again through Myer Bevan’s close-range finish after a well-worked move. The Kiwis nearly equalized when Lagos hit the crossbar from another set piece, prompting Crespo to bring on substitutes. Soufiane Rahimi, Morocco’s top scorer from the recent Men’s Olympic Football Tournament, responded with a decisive header from Matias Segovia's cross.
Rahimi scored again in stoppage time, sealing the victory, while Alejandro Romero added a stunning sixth goal with a long-range curling left-foot shot.