Hussin Rahimi scored a goal in each half to help Al Nasser equal the heaviest defeat in the history of the AFC Champions League in the opening match between the two sides at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium.
Former Moroccan youth international Rahimi hit the post with a low shot from a small angle early on, and then intercepted Saad Al Nasser’s misjudged return pass to enter the 25th-minute opener.
Rahimi doubled his tally with a clinical first-time shot off Alejandro Romero’s cross from the right wing UAE Professional League The club took advantage in the 63rd minute and nine minutes later another incisive pass from the winger allowed Rashmi’s brother Soufiane to fire home a goal that was disallowed after a lengthy Video Assistant Referee review.
Greek forward Georgi Giakoumakis scored after a one-two with Sufian Rahimi from just inside the penalty area with five minutes remaining.
The international break means Al-Nassr will not play again before hosting Diriyah in the league on 9 October (19:00 BST).
Al Ain vs Al Nas: Ronaldo’s AFC Champions League misery
On September 5, Al-Nasser captain Cristiano Ronaldo lost 1-2 to Al-Ittihad in the Saudi top league. The team suffered two consecutive away defeats and the team performed calmly in this game.
Ronaldo may have realized this was not going to be a happy night when the five-time Ballon d’Or winner was brought down at great speed by Rami Rabia shortly after Rahimi hit the woodwork.
The 41-year-old lost his balance as he entered the penalty area during what appeared to be a fair challenge outside the penalty area and briefly required treatment but was unsuccessful in his appeal.
al ain Goalkeeper Khalid Essa pushed away Inigo Martinez’s header and Al Nasser threatened to score, but Al Nasser’s inexplicable mistake was a gift for Rahimi, who rolled the ball straight to his receiver in the box and fired a right-footed shot through the legs of goalkeeper Nawaf al-Aqidi.
Rahimi’s first-time goal was ruled out for clear offside, while the unlucky Nasser was also booked and replaced by Rakan Al Ghamdi at half-time.
The switch will have little impact on the momentum of this exciting moment for the scoring brothers, whose father Mohammed died earlier this month after a long illness.
Al Nassr results: Postecoglou team in trouble again
New Al Nasr head coach Ange Postecoglou saw his side pull off a fine late save from Eissa through Angelo’s shot, but with his side now on a three-game winless run and two points adrift of the Saudi Professional League, the Australian will have plenty to reflect on during the early-season hiatus.
Thankfully, the result may not be damaging in the Champions League, as Al Nasr will play the first eight games of the Champions League and need to finish in the top eight in the 16-club table.
Their next game will be at home to Uzbek Premier League side Neftchi Fergana on 12 October (19:15 BST).
Al Ain vs Al Nasr
Al Ain starting lineup: Khalid Eissa, Rafael Rodriguez, Yahya Ben Halek, Djordje Skoko, Kaku, Houssin Rahimi, Valentino Lazaro, Mateos Palacios, Sufian Rahimi, Rami Rabia, Abdel Traoré
Al Ain Substitute: Mohammed Bu Sanda, Marcos Andre, Georgios Giakoumakis, Erik, Baba Ilou, Hassan Muhammed, Junior, Ismaila Okpoti, Amadou Niang, Joshua Udoh, Hamid Mohammed, Adis Jasic
Al Nasr vs Al Ain
Al Nasr starting lineup: Nawaf Al-Aqidi, Abdullah Amri, Abdullah Haibari, Saad Nasser, Nawaf Bouchar, Inigo Martinez, Samu Costa, Mohamed Simakan, Sadio Mane, Joao Felix, Cristiano Ronaldo
nasser Substitute: Bento, Nader Al Sharari, Hayder Abdulkareem, Abdullah Al Hamddan, Sami Al Naji, Angelo, Majed Qasheesh, Abdulrahman Al Otaibi, Rakan Al Ghamdi, Saad Haqawi, Sultan Al Mas, Awad Aman