Al Rayyan's David García (third left) celebrates after scoring a goal.
Doha, Qatar: Al Rayyan overcame a late fightback from Jordan’s Al Faisaly to secure a thrilling 4-3 victory in their AFC Champions League Two Group C opener at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium yesterday.
David Garcia, Roger Guedes and Ahmed Alaa put the home side three goals ahead in the first half, with Saidou Simpore pulling one back for Al Faisaly before the break.
Hazem Shehata restored Al Rayyan’s three-goal cushion in the second half, but Mohammad Haddad and Ahmad Ersan scored late to give Al Faisaly hope in a free-flowing contest.
Al Rayyan held on to claim three points and take an early lead in Group C.
Ersan fired over the bar in a fast start to the match before Al Rayyan responded, with Guedes seeing his attempt blocked.
The home side then broke the deadlock from the resulting corner.
Garcia rose to connect with a fine delivery from Otavio and headed Al Rayyan in front in the sixth minute.
Al Rayyan goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada comfortably stopped another effort from Ersan as the visitors searched for an equaliser.
Guedes doubled Al Rayyan’s advantage in the 22nd minute. The striker drove into the area and saw his initial effort hit the left post before he calmly followed up to score from the rebound.
Guedes threatened again with a long-range effort, but Al Faisaly goalkeeper Abdallah Al Fakhori denied him a second goal.
Alaa made it 3-0 in the 41st minute, heading Otavio’s precise cross into the bottom-left corner.
Simpore pulled one back for Al Faisaly from close range after an assist from Ersan, bringing an exciting first half to an end.
Julien De Sart fired over as Al Rayyan looked for more goals after the interval, while Alaa narrowly missed the target as he chased a second.
Abunada then produced a fine save to deny Haddad from close range before Al Rayyan restored their three-goal advantage in the 73rd minute.
Shehata, who had earlier missed a golden chance, made no mistake this time, finding the net from the centre of the box after a cutback from Ahmed Al Ganehi.
Haddad reduced the deficit in the 78th minute before Ersan’s brilliant free-kick six minutes later brought Al Faisaly within one goal and lifted the visiting fans.
Al Rayyan, however, held on to secure maximum points.
In Muscat earlier, Al Nahda held Al Taawoun to a 1-1 draw in the other Group C match.
Al Taawoun took the lead through Rakan Al Tulayhi on the hour, but Al Nahda fought back to level nine minutes from time through Petrus Boumal and earn a point from their opening game.
