Gyan keeps Al Ain in Asia Champs League

Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan scored his side Al Ain’s only goal against Saudi Arabian team Al Shabab Riyadh to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Asian Champions League last Wednesday.

Both teams from Group B locked horns at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium, with the visitors, Al Ain, aiming to secure a place in the last eight with a game to spare, while bottom-placed Al Shabab were already on the verge of elimination.

Shabab, despite signing two Ghanaians — John Antwi and Awal Mohammed — and employing their third coach of the season, have endured a difficult season. They are fifth in the Saudi Professional League and have crashed out of Asian Champions League following their home defeat to Al Ain.

Gyan fluffed his side’s first clear-cut chance after 35 minutes, failing to bend a close range effort through a free kick delivered by Mohamed Abdulrahman.

Al Ain are currently leaders of the group, with a point above second-placed Pakhtakor, who were held to a draw by Naft Tehran.

Gyan finished as top scorer last season with 12 goals to power his side into the semi-finals. He has however scored only two this season after a missing several matches due to injuries. — Goal.com