Al Ain moved a step closer to the ADIB Cup semi-finals with a 3–1 win over Sharjah in the first leg of the quarter-finals at Sharjah Stadium.
Al Ain began strongly, controlling the early stages before El Houssien Rahimi opened the scoring with a precise header. Five minutes later, he doubled the lead after a well-timed assist from Laba Kodjo.
Rahimi thought he had completed his hat-trick in the 68th minute after breaking through on goal, but the strike was ruled out for offside.
Sharjah gained hope late on with Coronado’s powerful finish, but Matías Palacios restored Al Ain’s cushion in stoppage time to seal a valuable away win.
The result puts Al Ain in a strong position ahead of the second leg of the ADIB Cup quarter-finals.
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