Al Ain, the team of Argentine coach Hernán Crespo, formerSão Paulolost to Yokohama Marinos this Saturday, 2-1, at Nissan Stadium, in the first game of the World Cup final. Asian Champions. Abbas scored the UAE team’s only goal, while Uenaka and Watanabe found the net for the Japanese.
Yokohama has the advantage of a draw for the second leg, while Al Ain needs to win by two or more goals in normal time to win the cup. The teams will meet again on the 25th, in the United Arab Emirates.
Before that, Crespo’s team faces Al Ittihad Kalba, this Thursday, in the UAE Championship. Yokohama faces a duel against Albirex Nigata, on Wednesday, for the Japanese Championship.
Final Whistle, Yokohama 2 and @alainfcae 1 #alainclub @prompt_fmarinos pic.twitter.com/yxn9gb2VTW
— Al Ain FC (@alainfcae_en) May 11, 2024
Al Ain opened the scoring in the first half. In the 12th minute, Abbas took advantage of a rebound from Palacios’ shot and sent the ball into the net. The team held on to the positive result until halftime.
However, Yokohama came back more focused for the second half and, in the 27th minute, tied the game. Uenaka received a cross from Brazilian Yan Matheus and headed in to leave everything equal.
At the end of the game, in the 38th minute, the Japanese turned around. Watanabe took advantage of a cross kick in the area and deflected the ball into the back of the net, scoring Yokohama’s winning goal.
Source: Gazetaesportiva
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