Analysis: Al Ain tear through Esteghlal Tehran in show of strength

AFC – AL AIN, A 6-1 victory at home to Islamic Republic of Iran’s Esteghlal handed Al Ain a pass through to the quarter-finals of the 2017 AFC Champions League, with last year’s runners-up hoping to go one better this time around.

Al Ain obliterated their opponents with a display of coordinated attacking prowess, with their individual stars stepping up to seize the initiative on the night.

With the hosts also enjoying 65.8 percent of possession and 22 shots to their opponent’s seven, it was a night Al Ain fans will savour for some time to come.

Caio energy unlocks Esteghlal defence
As Al Ain tore through Esteghlal with ease in the second half, it was the endeavors of Brazilian Caio earlier in the game to which they must have been thankful.

The wide forward struck twice in the first half, handing his side a 2-0 lead in the game’s opening 33 minutes to help Al Ain pull clear on the aggregate scoreboard.

With 41.8 percent of Al Ain’s attacking play coming down the left flank, Caio’s unceasing commitment to running in behind the defence opened up space for the side’s star central midfielders to shine.

With seven shots on goal, including his two goals, Caio was Al Ain’s leading goal threat throughout and it was little surprise that his goals set the tone for his side’s performance overall.

Omar Abdulrahman turns on the style
With Caio occupying the thoughts of the Esteghlal defence on a regular basis and forcing the back four deeper, Emirati playmaker Omar Abdulrahman enjoyed space to excel in midfield—and he did not disappoint.

The No. 10 created an impressive eight chances on the night, including an assist for Nasser Al Shamrani and in addition to two goals of his own.

Abdulrahman had been below par in the first-leg of the clash, but showed his quality to put his opponents to the sword—as well as contributing defensively with 10 recoveries.

The 2016 AFC Player of the Year was at the heart of everything for Al Ain as an attacking unit, attempting killer passes (just 65.1 percent final third accuracy) to release Al Ain’s pacy attacking unit.

Al Ain keep Esteghlal pinned deep
Esteghlal’s biggest issue on the night came through their inability to relieve pressure as it built in the face of Al Ain’s waves of relentless attacking.

A passing accuracy of just 71.3 percent, dropping to just 60.3 percent in their own half, tells a story of a side unable to build from the back—with the harrying of Al Ain’s forward line largely responsible.

With 30.6 percent of the game played in the Esteghlal final third, it was all too easy for Al Ain to wait for mistakes before pouncing through their talented attacking quartet.

The combined 19 ball recoveries of Al Ain’s starting front four tells its own story of their success in winning the ball high up the pitch.