The Al Ain young team suffered their first defeat in the Gulf Champions League football competition in their first major test against an experienced opponent. The 'Leader' lost 0-2 to Zakhoo from Iraq in a match held this evening at Zakhoo International Stadium. As a result, Al Ain dropped to second place in the group with 6 points, while Zakhoo took the lead with 7 points. Al Ain continued its tournament approach by relying on the reserve squad led by Italian Matteo Lombardo, while head coach Vladimir Ivic is focusing on domestic commitments with the first team. Although speed and vitality gave Al Ain two opening victories over Sitra from Bahrain and Al-Qadsia from Kuwait, the experience of Zakhoo's players was the difference in today's match. The Iraqi team played with realism and tactical discipline, benefiting from the cohesion of their lines and their ability to read the game. In contrast, Al Ain's players struggled to translate their physical momentum into attacking effectiveness, and some defensive gaps emerged that the home side exploited intelligently. Amjad Atoon scored the first goal from a penalty in the 16th minute, before Aliu Addam added the second in the 33rd minute, in front of a full crowd of about 25,000 spectators. In the other group match, Sitra from Bahrain drew with Al-Qadsia from Kuwait. Sitra raised its total to two points, placing third, while Al-Qadsia earned its first point, placing fourth. The top two teams advance to the semi-finals.
