Shabab Al Ahli maintained their flawless record in the West Zone of the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27, securing a third consecutive victory on Tuesday. Head coach Andre Jardine lauded his team for their disciplined performance after they broke down a stubborn Esteghlal side in a 2-0 win, moving the UAE club to nine points. Joining fellow UAE side Al Ain as the only teams still perfect in the West Zone of the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27, andre Jardine was delighted as Shabab Al Ahli made it a three wins on Tuesday. However, did not come easily and head coach Jardine was pleased to see how his players passed a stern test, the 2-0 victory against Iran’s Esteghlal. Which reflects the team’s overall readiness and ability to navigate challenging matches, i want to praise the players who came off the bench; they are making vital contributions.
Jardine expressed satisfaction with how his squad handled the pressure of the fixture. “I congratulate Esteghlal on their performance and I also commend our own players for their mature and intelligent display,” he stated. He noted that the match required significant patience, as their opponents defended with large numbers, but his side remained composed and prevented Esteghlal from creating serious opportunities.
The breakthrough for the UAE side arrived in the 69th minute. After a balanced opening half, tactical substitutions paid off as Sardar Azmoun delivered a precise deep ball into the box, allowing substitute Matheus Lima to volley the ball past goalkeeper Far Abbasi. “We managed to remain patient and handle the flow of the game effectively.
Following the goal, Esteghlal increased their efforts to find an equalizer, which ultimately left them vulnerable.
Shabab Al Ahli exploited this space in the 83rd minute, with Lima initiating a movement down the left flank before Azmoun set up Juan Alvina to score from the edge of the six-yard box.
Jardine highlighted the impact of his bench players, noting, “Our substitutions proved highly effective. This victory brings us closer to achieving the goals we set for ourselves in this tournament, and we must continue our hard work in the coming phase.”
In other West Zone action, Al Shamal secured their first victory in the competition by defeating Al Hilal 3-1 at Al Bayt Stadium. Manager David Prats praised his team’s tactical execution and discipline, which lifted the debutants to five points and sixth place in the standings.
“I’m pleased with the team’s performance, especially considering we defeated Al Hilal,” said Prats. While acknowledging he was surprised by some absences in the Al Hilal lineup, Prats emphasized that his primary focus remained on his own players. “The key to our victory was respecting the opponents and the players’ successful execution of the tactical plan.” The team now shifts focus to their next Qatar Stars League match against Al Sadd.
For Al Hilal, the loss marked the end of their unbeaten run in the tournament. Head coach Simone Inzaghi admitted that his team struggled with fatigue after a promising first half. “Defeat is painful, this is my third loss since taking charge of the team,” Inzaghi noted. “We played a great first half, but in the second half, fatigue prevented us from delivering the performance we expected.”
