Doha: Qatar’s Al Gharafa yesterday bounced back at the AFC Champions League (ACL) Elite in style, defeating United Arab Emirates giants Al Ain 4-2 in a thrilling game at Al Bayt Stadium. Joselu struck a brace to give Al Gharafa a two-goal lead with Seydou Sano and Yacine Brahimi securing the win for the Cheetahs after the visitors fought back through Alejandro Romero’s (Kaku) spot kick and Soufiane Rahimi’s low shot. It was a remarkable comeback from Pedro Martins’ side, who lost to Iran’s Esteghlal 3-0 in their opening game of the continental showpiece.
With the stalemate persisting in the gripping first half, Brahimi’s corner kick deflected off Sano and then ricocheted off Joselu’s hip into the net, allowing Al Gharafa to take the lead just before the break. The Spanish forward doubled Al Gharafa’s advantage three minutes into the second half, heading Sano’s cross following a set piece situation. But Al Ain fought back leveling the scores with two goals in 10 minutes.
Romero reduced the lead, converting a penalty in spectacular fashion four minutes before the one-hour mark after Sano was penalised following a VAR check for a foul on Rahimi. The reigning champions equalised 10 minutes later with Rahimi scoring from the centre of the box after an assist from Kaku Romero. But Al Gharafa were in no mood to drop points as Sano restored their lead in 72nd minute finding the bottom right corner after a cross from Florinel Coman.
The Romanian then set up Brahimi f.
