Al Duhail players managed to eliminate mistakes from their game in their 3-0 victory over Pakhtakor at the AFC Champions League Group D match on Monday, according to head coach Hernan Crespo.
The Qatari side had left it late to defeat Pakhtakor 3-2 when the two teams met on Matchday Three, coming from behind twice, but on Monday, they went one better, repeating the attacking display that saw them score three goals, while shoring up at the back to get their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Hat-trick hero from the first game Edmilson was again crucial for Al Duhail, setting up Basam al-Rawi’s opener with an in-swinging corner and assisting captain Almoez Ali for the third early in the second period after Michael Olunga had run half the length of the pitch to score a fine solo goal in added time of the first half.
“I’m really happy with this win and getting three important points,” said Crespo. “I think it was a well-deserved result, especially since we created many chances in both halves of the match. We worked on correcting the mistakes that were happening in previous games, which helped us play well and score three great goals, and I think it is not easy to achieve that, especially in such a strong competition.”
A third win on the trot for Al Duhail means they now top the group with nine points and can all but secure their place in the knockout stage with a win against Al Taawoun on Friday.
“It is a good thing to have a clean sheet in this match, but the three points are the most important for us, and I am happy with the level of all the players who performed impeccably and gave all their efforts throughout the match,” Crespo added.

Al Gharafa aim to bounce back after humiliating defeat
Al Gharafa are looking for a turnaround in their remaining AFC Champions League Group C matches after suffering a huge 8-2 defeat against Shabab Al Ahli Dubai at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium on Monday.
After playing to three 1-1 draws in their opening games, Shabab Al Ahli flipped the switch as they comfortably scored three goals in the opening 45 minutes before finding the back of the net five times in the second half as they left Al Gharafa shell-shocked with an 8-2 score-line.
“It is very difficult to comment after this result,” said Al Gharafa head coach Andrea Stramaccioni. “The game was balanced when we were 1-1 but we reacted badly and they went 3-1 up. We tried to change the game in the changing room and had one chance after the break but they scored again and we lost the will to recover,” he added.
The Italian tactician will now shift his team’s attention to the two crucial games against Foolad Khouzestan FC and Ahal FC. “My team is very young and this shows the lack of experience. Before this match, we came from three very good games and now we must show our value against Foolad. Our group is very open so it is in our hands to change the standings in the group. We must win our next game,” said Stramaccioni.
With the win, Shabab Al Ahli moved to second in Group C on six points, two behind leaders Foolad while Al Gharafa slipped to third place on five points. Debutants Ahal FC occupy fourth position with one point.