Khaberni - Al-Ittihad, champions of Saudi Arabia, achieved their first win in the Asian Champions League Elite, prevailing with a score of 4-1 over their hosts, Al-Shorta of Iraq, after Moussa Diaby scored a goal and provided two decisive assists to his teammate Houssem Aouar today, Monday.
Al-Ittihad, which finished the game with ten men, gathered the first three points after three games, moving up to seventh place in the Western group, while Al-Shorta remained in the 11th place with only one point.
This victory marks the first for coach Sergio Conceicao with Al-Ittihad in all competitions, after starting his stint with a draw against Al-Fayha in the previous round of the Saudi league.
The home team took an early lead with a goal by Bassam Shakir in the fifth minute from a header following a corner kick, making Al-Ittihad's task difficult in the absence of captain Karim Benzema.
However, Diaby equalized for Al-Ittihad in the 17th minute following a cross from Mahmoud Doumbia.
Fabinho scored Al-Ittihad's second goal from a free kick after half an hour of play, before Dominik Mendi fired a powerful shot that hit Al-Ittihad's crossbar causing controversy over whether it crossed the goal line in the 37th minute.
After reviewing the video assistant referee, the goal was not counted, and play continued amid protests from Al-Shorta players against the decision.
Al-Ittihad player, Danilo, received a red card five minutes into the second half for a strong challenge on Mendi.
Despite being a man down, the visiting team was unaffected, and Diaby broke from the left side and sent a pass to Aouar, who netted the ball making the score 3-1 an hour into the game.
Substitute Mohamed Yassin missed a dangerous opportunity for Al-Shorta when he shot over the bar from close range.
The collaboration between Diaby and Aouar was evident again after the former Aston Villa winger dodged goalkeeper Ahmed Basel and set up the ball for his Algerian teammate to score his second and the team fourth goal in the 76th minute.
Yassin thought he had reduced the deficit for Al-Shorta, but the goal was disallowed for offside, before a header from his teammate Mahmoud Al-Mawas hit the post in the added time of the match.
