Yokohama F. Marinos manager Harry Kewell watched as his side scored two late goals to secure a thrilling 2-1 comeback win over Hernan Crespo’s Al Ain in the first leg of the continental showdown.
The Japanese giants were trailing by a lone goal before late strikes from Kota Watanabe, and Asahi Uenaka helped them secure a a crucial advantage heading into the return leg in a fortnight.
Mohammed Abbas got Al-Ain’s noses in front in the 12th minute inside the Nissan Stadium in Yokohama when he reacted quickest to a rebound after Soufiane Rahimi’s shot was saved by Marinos goalkeeper William Popp.
The Japanese side threw everything they had at their United Arab Emirates foes, and their effort paid off with 18 minutes remaining. Yan Matheus cut in from the right to deliver a curling cross that Asahi Uenaka headed beyond Khalid Eisa to level proceedings.
Harry Kewell’s men would not be denied, though, as six minutes from time, Kouta Watanabe struck to give Yokohama F Marinos a 2-1 win over Al-Ain of the United Arab Emirates.
The second leg is slated for the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, where Al Ain and Crespo will hope home support will be enough to help them turn the tie around and secure the club’s first Champions League title since 2002.
It would be recalled that Harry Kewell was on the winning side when Liverpool beat Crespo’s AC Milan in dramatic fashion to lift the 2005 UEFA Champions League.
The former Australia international, however, knows that the tie is not over yet.
“I know in this game that it can be taken away from you so quickly,” Kewell said as per Fra ce 24.
“We have to understand that there is another 90 minutes to play, and it’s going to be very difficult. They can enjoy the moment, but there’s still a long way to go in this tie.”
Crespo, who leads an Al Ain side that is the UAE’s most successful club, is convinced his team can overturn the deficit in the second leg.
“We know what it means to play at home with our fans — today was not easy because their fans shouted and supported their team,” the former Chelsea striker said.
“In two weeks, it will be the opposite. We need to take advantage of that.
“We believe we can do it.”
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