AFC Champions League Elite: Shabab Al Ahli Triumph While Al Wasl Falls on Opening Night

UAE clubs experienced mixed fortunes on the opening night of the league phase of the AFC Champions League Elite. Shabab Al Ahli secured all three points with a 1-0 victory at home over Iranian side Tractor, while Al Wasl suffered a 2-1 defeat to Al Qadsiah in Saudi Arabia.

Yuri Cesar's opportunistic strike in the 22nd minute settled the tie in Shabab Al Ahli's favour at the Rashid Stadium. Last season's semi-finalists began the match strongly, with Iranian striker Sardar Azmoun seeing a seventh-minute header ruled out for offside. Rikelme then rattled the crossbar from 35 yards out as Shabab Al Ahli intensified their attacks. They finally made the breakthrough when Cesar capitalised on a mistake by Tractor captain Shojae Khalilsadeh, steering his shot past goalkeeper Parsa Jafari and into the bottom right corner.

Meanwhile, fellow Dubai club Al Wasl found the going much tougher on their travels, falling to goals from Julian Quinones and Mateo Retegui. Brendan Rodgers' Al Qadsiah, making their debut in the continental competition, had to wait until the 57th minute to break the deadlock when Quinones met Christopher Baah's cross with a majestic header. Retegui, introduced as a half-time substitute, then capitalised on a lapse in concentration by the Wasl goalkeeper to score from close range. Al Wasl pulled a goal back through Leandro Spadacio in stoppage time, but it proved too late to change the result.

In other matches, two-time defending champions Al Ahli Saudi needed a late goal to salvage a 1-1 draw against Pakhtakor after Firas Al Brikan rescued them in the third minute of stoppage time following a strike by Flamarion. Similarly, Al Ittihad claimed a 1-1 draw against Al Shamal thanks to a 94th-minute equaliser from Georginio Wijnaldum, canceling out Baghdad Bounedjah's opener. Saudi champions Al Nassr are set to face UAE title-holders Al Ain, while Al Hilal welcome Qatar's Al Gharafa to Riyadh.