Al Ain FC secured their second consecutive victory in the 2026-27 AFC Champions League Elite with a decisive 4-1 win over Iraq’s Air Force Club at Basra International Stadium on Monday. This victory not only boosts Al Ain’s points tally to six but also solidifies their position at the top of the West Region standings.
El Houssine Rahimi was the standout performer, scoring twice as Al Ain showcased their attacking prowess. The match began with Kaku netting the opener in the 13th minute, followed by an own goal from Air Force defender Saed Al Rousan just five minutes later, putting Al Ain ahead 2-0 early on. Rahimi then extended the lead to 3-0 in the 23rd minute, and he completed his brace just before halftime, giving Al Ain a commanding 4-0 advantage.
Despite a late consolation goal from Air Force in the 89th minute, the outcome was never in doubt. Al Ain’s performance marked a continuation of their strong start in the tournament, having previously defeated Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr 4-0 in their opening match. With eight goals scored and only one conceded in their first two games, Al Ain is demonstrating formidable form.
Coaching Perspectives
Following the match, Al Ain’s head coach, Vladimir Ivic, emphasized the need for his team to maintain focus throughout the competition. “Congratulations to my players. We came here to win and played good football in the first half, creating plenty of chances,” Ivic stated. He acknowledged that while they controlled the game, lapses in concentration allowed the opposition to score, highlighting areas for improvement.
Air Force Club’s Challenges
On the other side, Air Force Club’s head coach, Rasheed Jabar, faced the challenge of addressing his team’s two consecutive defeats. He noted that the match was effectively decided in the opening minutes and praised his players for their improved performance in the second half. “The positive was that we produced an acceptable performance in the second half, both individually and as a team,” Jabar remarked, indicating a focus on building from this experience.
As Al Ain continues their campaign, they will look to build on this momentum in the upcoming matches, while Air Force Club will need to regroup and learn from their recent setbacks. For more details on the match, visit Gulf Today.
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