AFC Player of the Year Omar Abdulrahman produced a masterful performance as Al Ain stormed to a 3-0 victory over Uzbek side Bunyudkor at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium to progress to the knock-out stages of the AFC Champions League as Group C winners.
The Al Ain was involved in all three goals as he led his side to a comfortable victory in front of their home support on Monday evening.
The UAE international found teammate Nasser Al Shamrani with a deftly executed outside-of-the-boot pass in the 33rd minute which the Saudi striker latched onto and dribbled past his marker before powering home the opening goal.
Abdulrahman then added a second goal for Al Ain with 15 minutes to play with a sublime curling free-kick from 30 yards out.
Substitute Ibrahim Diaky made it 3-0 for the hosts, converting Abdulrahmn's cross from the left wing with a diving header to seal an emphatic home win for Coach Zoran Mamic's men.
Speaking after the game, Abdulrahman said he looks forward to scoring more goals from set-pieces.
"I may have a lot of poortunities from set-pieces this year and when the moments come I can take the chances,. But I cannot do it without the help of my teammates."
Following the six group games in the continental tournament this season, Abdulrahman already has a remarkable tally of five goals and fives assists from midfield. Only Mehdi Teremi of Persepolis has scored more goals in the competition so far (6).
He has 11 goals and 15 assists from 27 games for Al Ain in all competitions this campaign.
Elsewhere, fellow Arabian Gulf League representatives, Al Wahda crashed out of the tournament with a 2-4 defeat against Iranian side Persepolis at Tehran's Azadi Stadium.
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