Al Ain's Champions League Elite chances suffer further blow

WAM

Al Ain’s prospects of advancing to the knockout rounds of the AFC Champions League Elite 2024/25 suffered another blow on Monday as the reigning continental champions slipped to a 2-1 loss at the hands of Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium.

England international Ivan Toney stepped off the bench to score twice in four minutes to maintain Al Ahli’s perfect start to the competition.

Matthias Jaissle’s side moved onto 15 points from the first five games to all-but guarantee their progress to the last 16.

The result left Al Ain, playing their first game in the competition under new boss Leonardo Jardim, rooted to the bottom of the standings in West Asia and, with three matches remaining, their hopes of going through to the next phase of the competition are rapidly disappearing.

More from Sports News

  • F1 commission agrees to shorter races from 2027

    The governing FIA's Formula One commission has agreed on Monday to reduce the standard Grand Prix distance from 305km to 290km from 2027, cutting races by two or three laps.

  • Spain extend coach Luis de la Fuente to 2032

    The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has announced Monday that its board of directors has unanimously approved an extension of coach Luis de la Fuente's contract until 2032.

  • Infantino says he is open to talks over FIFA reform

    FIFA President Gianni Infantino proposed an outside review of how the governing body makes major decisions on Monday, acknowledging in a letter to members that its handling of a now-abandoned investment plan had caused concern.

  • Troubled Marseille lose fifth straight as PSG win

    Captain Marquinhos has snatched the winner as champions Paris St Germain won 2-1 at troubled Olympique de Marseille in Ligue 1 on Sunday, condemning the hosts to a fifth successive loss and a spot in the relegation zone.

Blogs