Ghalenoei gutted as Sand sinks Sepahan [VIDEO]
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Loading...Iranians suffered a 2-0 defeat by Ai Ain in the AFC Champions League on Tuesday to miss out on a place in the last 16 from Group C.
Sepahan needed a win to be sure of qualification, but Argentine Jose Sand scored in either half as Al Ain picked up just a second win of the campaign allowing Saudi Arabia’s Al Shabab to advance alongside Pakhtakor after beating the Uzbeks 2-1.
Sand opened the scoring from the penalty spot three minutes before the break after being upended by Mohsen Bengar.
And after Sepahan stepped up their pressure in the second half, Sand sealed the three points with 19 minutes remaining.
“We did not play the way that pleases our fans. I must apologise for this poor display by my team and I do feel sorry for the fans,” said Ghalenoei.
“Before the match I thought we could correct our flaws and play to win, but our first half display was very bad. In the second half we did get our chances, but failed to convert them.
“As for the penalty with which Al Ain got their first goal, I can’t comment until I see the replay, but I must say that Al Ain played well and deserved to win.”
After playing without five key players due to a combination of injury and suspension, new Al Ain coach Abdulhameed Al Misthiki was ecstatic with the result.
“This is a win for pride and prestige and I am delighted with the way the youngsters stood up to be counted,” said Al Misthiki, who was the club’s youth team coach before replacing Brazilian Toninho Cerezo last week.
“Yousif Abdelrahman is currently the best goalkeeper in the UAE. He proved his worth in the FIFA Under-20 World Youth Cup and he was in his element. He is a rare talent and I have known him since his younger days.
“Omar Abdul Rahman was equally brilliant and I told him that he has to play the role that Jorge Valdivia does for us. He may have been just 70% of what the Chilean star does, but for me and the team it was 200%. He was coming out of injury, but played a brilliant all round game, attacking and defending.
“Abdul Aziz Fayez, who had a hand in the second goal, will turn out to be one of the best attacking players of the future in the UAE.”
