AFC - Al Ain guaranteed themselves a place in the Round of 16 of the 2017 AFC Champions League on Monday with a 3-0 win over Zobahan that ensures Zoran Mamic’s team cannot finish outside the top two in Group C.
Danilo Asprilla gave Al Ain the lead in the 25th minute before Jerry Bengtson’s missed penalty saw last year’s beaten finalists hold onto their advantage going into the half-time interval.
A fine solo effort from Omar Abdulrahman doubled Al Ain’s advantage 12 minutes into the second half and Mohammed Abdulrahman added a third nine minutes from time to seal all three points.
The win moves Al Ain into first place in the group with nine points, one ahead of Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli and a further point clear of Zobahan. With Al Ahli and Zobahan due to meet on Matchday Six, Al Ain are assured of a place in the top two positions.