Al Ain extended their strong start to the 2026-27 AFC Champions League Elite campaign with a commanding 4-1 victory against Iraq’s Air Force Club at the Basra International Stadium on Monday during Matchweek 2. With a domestic league clash against Al Nassr Club looming, Pusic stressed the importance of recovery. “It is essential to put this match behind us and focus entirely on physical recovery to ensure we enter the domestic league clash against Al Nassr with the highest possible level of technical and physical readiness.”.
El Houssine Rahimi netted twice to secure the team’s second straight win, elevating their total to six points and maintaining their position at the summit of the West Region standings on goal difference.
The visitors seized an early advantage when Kaku broke the deadlock in the 13th minute, followed five minutes later by an own goal from Air Force defender Saed Al Rousan.
Al Ain maintained their relentless attacking momentum as El Houssine Rahimi scored his first of the match in the 23rd minute to stretch the lead to 3-0. Following their 4-0 home victory over Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr in their opening match, the result maintained Al Ain’s perfect record in the competition. “The changes in the second half gave us more movement but it is difficult to come back from 4-0 down against a team with players of that quality.
Rahimi struck again just before the interval in the 43rd minute, sealing his brace and establishing a comfortable four-goal cushion by half-time.
Although the hosts managed a consolation goal in the 89th minute, it came too late to disrupt Al Ain’s secure position.
Vladimir Ivic praised his team’s first-half performance while urging sustained concentration following the match. Congratulations to my players. We came here to win and played good football in the first half, creating plenty of chances, said Ivic. We must stay fully focused from start to finish. Our lapses allowed the opposition to score, win a penalty and create chances too easily. “The positive was that we produced an acceptable performance in the second half, both individually and as a team.
Air Force head coach Rasheed Jabar acknowledged the difficulties of facing such opponents, noting that adjustments in the second half provided better movement after the damage was already done in the opening 15 minutes. According to it was a difficult game and we tried to make adjustments in the second half,”, Jabar. “I knew this would be a tough match.
In another fixture, Marino Pusic commended Al Ahli Saudi FC after they defeated Al Wasl FC 3-1 at the Zabeel Stadium.
Roger Ibanez opened the scoring for the defending champions in the 20th minute before Pedro Malheiro equalized for Al Wasl in first-half stoppage time, though subsequent goals from Trincao and Feras Al Brikan secured the win for the Saudi side.
I am extremely proud of my players and their performance, said Pusic, highlighting the character and discipline shown despite a congested schedule. According to “I am extremely proud of my players and their performance,”, Pusic. “What matters most to me is the character and qualities they possess, particularly given the intense schedule we are currently navigating. “I am pleased with the players’ fighting spirit and high level of discipline on the pitch.
Al Wasl head coach Rui Vitoria felt his team started brightly but ultimately suffered due to a brief lapse in concentration and missed scoring opportunities.
