ABU DHABI: Al-Ain continued their perfect start to the western league phase of the Asian Champions League Elite (ACLE) on Monday with a 2-1 win over Tractor FC from Iran, as title holders Al-Ahli secured a late 2-1 victory over 10-man Al-Gharafa.
Al-Ain, winners of the trophy in 2024, picked up their third win in a row as Houssine Rahimi scored his fifth goal in three matches with 20 minutes remaining at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium.
"This competition is important, and we need to collect points early on," the Moroccan forward said.
"That is what we managed to do in these three matches we have played, earning nine points. This is very important for us."
Ramy Rabia's strike in the 21st minute put Al-Ain ahead, but Tibor Halilovic curled home Tractor's equaliser 10 minutes into the second half before Rahimi hit the winner.
Al-Ahli made a positive start in Jeddah against their Qatari visitors when Ivan Toney gave the defending champions a fourth-minute lead, only for Florinel Coman to level eight minutes into the second half.
Seydou Sano's sending-off with 13 minutes remaining left Al-Gharafa short-handed, and Al-Ahli took advantage with Matheus Goncalves hitting the winner four minutes from time.
"We know that our primary focus isn't just being at the top of the table," said Goncalves.
"We have to qualify, and qualify well, so that afterwards we can take advantage of our home matches and get the job done at home."
Julian Quinones scored in the 84th minute with a heavily deflected effort to earn Al-Qadsiah a 1-1 draw with Qatar's Al-Sadd, who took the lead through Akram Afif's stunning strike from distance 10 minutes earlier.
The first eight finishers in the league phase will advance to the knockout rounds, with the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final to be played in Saudi Arabia in April and May.
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