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Late header stun champions Al Ain Al Ain’s grip on the AFC Champions League trophy was significantly loosened on Tuesday as the titleholders fell to a surprising defeat at home against Korean FA Cup winners Chonbuk Motors with a goal by André Gomez in the third minute of stoppage time. The well organised Korean side have an excellent opportunity to advance to the semi-finals of Asia’s top club competition after Brazilian import Gomez headed home the late winner to cap a fine away performance against the defending champions. The encounter was Al Ain’s first in this year’s competition after they were given a bye as champions into the knockout stage and they were cheered on by a full house at the Tahnon Bin Mohammed Stadium. However, the match didn’t go according to plan for the home side who failed to find the net despite their strong attacking play in the opening half. Al Ain’s first chance fell to UAE international midfielder Subait Khater whose 30-yard strike in the 10th minute was well saved by Chonbuk goalkeeper Lee Yong-bal. The Koreans responded a minute later when Yoon Jong-hwan’s cross was misjudged by Al Ain goalkeeper Mutaz Abdullah but striker Kim Yeon-gun failed to capitalize as defender Humaid Fakher cleared the ball. Khater had a second opportunity when he launched a powerful free-kick which was stopped again by Lee Yong-bal to keep the match scoreless after 26 minutes. In the 33rd minute, Al Ain looked to have opened the scoring when Colombian striker Alejandro Molina chipped the ball into the penalty box to Ivory Coast striker Boubacer Sanogo whose header narrowly missed. The closing minutes of the first half saw the Koreans dominate the midfield with Yoon Jong-hwan proving a master of their dead-ball situations. The action heated up in the fifth minute of the second period when Kim Yeon-gun broke clear with only Al Ain goalkeeper Mutaz Abdullah but was fouled by the custodian. Midfielder André Gomez took the free-kick but was denied by the right post. Iranian referee Masoud Muradi was forced to show the yellow card on a number of occasions after the hour mark as both sides began to get more physical as the game progressed. Five minutes from time, Chonbuk could have gone ahead when substitute Paulo Rink saw his header narrowly miss the Al Ain goal. However, the Koreans continued their search for the crucial away goal and they got their reward in the third minutes of added time as Gomez headed home a corner at the far post to stun the champions and their fans. Al Ain pressed for an equalizer in the remaining three minutes of added time but their efforts proved fruitless as the Korean side earned a famous victory. The second leg of the quarter-final tie will be played at the Jeonju World Cup Stadium next Tuesday with Chonbuk in a very good position to advance to the semi-finals. |
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