Key Takeaways
- The visitors had already defeated Al Nassr 4-0, Air Force SC 4-1 and Tractor 2-1.
- The Saudi club had recovered from a difficult start by defeating Neftchi Fergana 2-1 in the previous round, giving them renewed hope before facing the competition leaders.
- Before the trip to Jeddah, much of the attention surrounding Al Ain centered on Houssine Rahimi.
- Al Ain’s 4-1 victory over Al Ittihad is significant for reasons extending beyond the final score.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, November 2, 2026: Al Ain overwhelmed Al Ittihad 4-1 at King Abdullah Sports City on Monday to extend their perfect start to the 2026/27 AFC Champions League Elite to four victories, opening a commanding position at the halfway point of the West Region league stage. Alejandro Romero struck in the 17th minute and Rafael Rodrigues doubled the visitors’ lead in the 42nd before Marwan Al Sahafi pulled one back for Al Ittihad shortly after halftime. An own goal from Jan-Carlo Simic and a stoppage-time penalty by Matías Palacios completed a punishing defeat for the Saudi hosts.
The result lifted Vladimir Ivić’s Al Ain to 12 points from four matches, with 14 goals scored and three conceded, while Al Ittihad remain on four points after winning only one of their opening four fixtures. The UAE club have now beaten Al Nassr, Air Force SC, Tractor FC and Al Ittihad in succession, establishing the competition’s strongest early West Region record. With eight of the region’s 16 teams qualifying for the Round of 16, Al Ain have taken a substantial step toward the knockout phase without yet securing mathematical qualification. For Al Ittihad, a second home defeat against UAE opposition has made the remaining four league-stage matches increasingly important.
Al Ittihad 1-4 Al Ain: AFC Champions League Elite Match Summary
| Match Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Competition | AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27 |
| League stage | West Region, Matchday 4 |
| Date | November 2, 2026 |
| Venue | King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah |
| Home team | Al Ittihad, Saudi Arabia |
| Away team | Al Ain, United Arab Emirates |
| Final score | Al Ittihad 1-4 Al Ain |
| Halftime score | Al Ittihad 0-2 Al Ain |
| Al Ittihad scorer | Marwan Al Sahafi |
| Al Ain scoring contributions | Alejandro Romero, Rafael Rodrigues, Jan-Carlo Simic own goal, Matías Palacios penalty |
| Al Ain points after four matches | 12 |
| Al Ittihad points after four matches | 4 |
| Al Ain goal difference | +11 |
Al Ain arrived in Jeddah having won each of their previous three continental matches.
Story at a glance
Al Ittihad 1-4 Al Ain: AFC Champions League Elite Match Summary
Al Ain arrived in Jeddah having won each of their previous three continental matches.
Al Ittihad vs Al Ain: All Five Goals and Decisive Moments
The scoring sequence explains why the defeat was particularly frustrating for Al Ittihad.
Alejandro Romero Provides the Answer as Al Ain’s Attack Moves Beyond Rahimi
Before the trip to Jeddah, much of the attention surrounding Al Ain centered on Houssine Rahimi.
Al Ain’s Four Straight Wins: Every Result, Every Goal and the Bigger Picture
Three of Al Ain’s opening four victories have come by scoring four goals.
Al Ittihad’s Second Home Defeat Against UAE Opposition Raises Serious Questions
For Al Ittihad, Monday’s defeat was particularly damaging because it repeated an earlier pattern.
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The visitors had already defeated Al Nassr 4-0, Air Force SC 4-1 and Tractor 2-1.
Those victories established their attacking credentials and provided an early advantage in the West Region standings.
However, Al Ittihad represented an important examination.
The Saudi club had recovered from a difficult start by defeating Neftchi Fergana 2-1 in the previous round, giving them renewed hope before facing the competition leaders.
Al Ain responded by producing another four-goal performance, this time away from home against a side that had recently shown an ability to recover from setbacks.
The Sports Encounter’s Matchday 3 report documented both Al Ain’s winning start and Al Ittihad’s late recovery against Neftchi.
Monday’s result demonstrated just how differently the two clubs have progressed since then.
How Al Ain Punished Al Ittihad in Jeddah
Alejandro Romero Opens the Scoring in the 17th Minute
Al Ain’s first breakthrough arrived after 17 minutes.
Alejandro Romero, also known as Kaku, put the visitors ahead and immediately forced Al Ittihad to chase the game.
The timing mattered.
Al Ittihad had already experienced problems when conceding early against Shabab Al Ahli, losing 2-1 after Sardar Azmoun scored twice in the opening 16 minutes.
That previous defeat had exposed how dangerous it can be for Al Ittihad to fall behind before establishing control.
Against Al Ain, the pattern returned.
Romero’s opener placed immediate pressure on the hosts and allowed the visitors to play with a scoreboard advantage.
The result was particularly damaging because Al Ittihad were facing a side that had already demonstrated an ability to attack from multiple positions.
Al Ain did not need to rely on one player to create every scoring opportunity.
Rafael Rodrigues Doubles the Advantage Before Halftime
Rafael Rodrigues made it 2-0 in the 42nd minute.
Romero was credited with the assist, giving the attacking midfielder a direct involvement in both first-half goals.
The second goal changed the immediate outlook of the contest.
At 1-0, Al Ittihad needed only one successful attack to restore parity.
At 2-0, they needed a sustained recovery against opponents who had conceded just twice across their opening three continental matches.
The halftime position therefore created a significant tactical advantage for Al Ain.
They could manage the second half with a two-goal cushion while forcing Al Ittihad to take greater risks.
Marwan Al Sahafi Brings Al Ittihad Back Into the Contest
Al Ittihad did not surrender immediately.
Marwan Al Sahafi reduced the deficit in the 53rd minute, giving the home supporters renewed hope of a comeback.
The goal changed the score to 2-1 and briefly reopened a match that Al Ain had appeared to control.
Houssem Aouar was credited with the assist.
For Al Ittihad, the moment presented an opportunity to turn attacking momentum into a second goal.
But a comeback requires more than narrowing the score.
It also requires preventing the opposition from responding.
That proved beyond the Saudi side.
Jan-Carlo Simic’s Own Goal Restores Al Ain’s Two-Goal Lead
Al Ain’s third goal was recorded as an own goal by Jan-Carlo Simic.
The incident restored a two-goal advantage and undermined Al Ittihad’s hopes of building on Al Sahafi’s response.
Own goals can arise from several different defensive situations, including attempted clearances, blocks and dangerous deliveries.
Without independently verified replay evidence of the exact sequence, it would be inappropriate to assign a specific technical mistake or tactical cause to Simic.
The competitive consequence, however, is clear.
Al Ain had regained control of the scoreboard.
Al Ittihad now required two further goals merely to draw level.
Matías Palacios Converts a Stoppage-Time Penalty
Palacios completed the scoring from the penalty spot during stoppage time.
The goal turned an already damaging defeat into a 4-1 result.
It also extended Al Ain’s strong goal difference, which could become important if several teams finish level on points later in the competition.
The result was another reminder that the expanded league stage rewards more than simply winning.
The margin of victory can also influence a club’s position under the applicable AFC ranking criteria.
Al Ittihad vs Al Ain: All Five Goals and Decisive Moments
| Minute | Player | Team | Event | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17′ | Alejandro Romero | Al Ain | Opening goal | 0-1 |
| 42′ | Rafael Rodrigues | Al Ain | Second goal, Romero assist | 0-2 |
| 53′ | Marwan Al Sahafi | Al Ittihad | Goal, Aouar assist | 1-2 |
| Second half | Jan-Carlo Simic | Al Ittihad | Own goal benefiting Al Ain | 1-3 |
| Stoppage time | Matías Palacios | Al Ain | Penalty goal | 1-4 |
The scoring sequence explains why the defeat was particularly frustrating for Al Ittihad.
Their halftime deficit was substantial but not impossible to overcome.
Al Sahafi’s goal reduced it to one, yet the hosts failed to build on that progress.
Al Ain, meanwhile, converted their advantage into a decisive result.
Alejandro Romero Provides the Answer as Al Ain’s Attack Moves Beyond Rahimi
Before the trip to Jeddah, much of the attention surrounding Al Ain centered on Houssine Rahimi.
The Moroccan forward had scored five goals in the opening three league-stage matches.
He struck twice against Al Nassr, twice against Air Force SC and once against Tractor.
That meant he had scored exactly half of Al Ain’s ten goals before Monday.
The remarkable sequence was examined in TSE’s complete opening-matchday analysis, which documented Al Ain’s demolition of Al Nassr.
Against Al Ittihad, the decisive attacking contributions came from different players.
Romero scored the opener and assisted the second.
Rodrigues found the net, while Palacios converted the late penalty.
That is an important development for a team with aspirations beyond the league stage.
Why Does a Broader Scoring Contribution Matter?
When a team’s attack depends heavily on one goalscorer, opponents can concentrate defensive resources on reducing that player’s influence.
Al Ain’s performance in Jeddah demonstrated that other players can take responsibility.
Romero’s first-half contributions were particularly important because they established the advantage before Al Ittihad could settle into the contest.
Al Ain’s opponents must therefore consider more than Rahimi’s scoring record.
They also have to defend against attacking midfielders and other forward runners capable of changing a match.
That does not establish that Al Ain have solved every tactical problem.
It does provide evidence of multiple attacking contributors across the opening four games.
Al Ain’s Four Straight Wins: Every Result, Every Goal and the Bigger Picture
| Matchday | Opponent | Result | Goals For | Goals Against | Running Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Al Nassr | 4-0 | 4 | 0 | 3 |
| 2 | Air Force SC | 4-1 | 4 | 1 | 6 |
| 3 | Tractor FC | 2-1 | 2 | 1 | 9 |
| 4 | Al Ittihad | 4-1 | 4 | 1 | 12 |
| Total | 14 | 3 | 12 | ||
Three of Al Ain’s opening four victories have come by scoring four goals.
That is significant because those results have been achieved against opponents representing different national football systems.
Al Nassr and Al Ittihad compete in Saudi Arabia.
Air Force SC represent Iraq, while Tractor compete in Iran.
Al Ain have therefore demonstrated their scoring ability against several different continental opponents rather than relying on repeated success against one familiar domestic rival.
TSE Original Statistical Insight: Al Ain Average 3.5 Goals Per Match
Al Ain have scored 14 goals in four matches.
That produces an average of 3.5 goals per game.
They have conceded three, or 0.75 per match.
The difference is an average goal advantage of 2.75 per fixture.
The figures do not guarantee that Al Ain will maintain this scoring rate against stronger opposition.
They do explain why the club has accumulated both maximum points and a substantial goal difference.
| Performance Indicator | Al Ain After Matchday 4 | Calculation |
|---|---|---|
| Matches played | 4 | Half of eight scheduled games |
| Wins | 4 | Four victories from four |
| Win percentage | 100% | 4 ÷ 4 |
| Points | 12 | 4 × 3 |
| Goals scored | 14 | 4 + 4 + 2 + 4 |
| Goals conceded | 3 | 0 + 1 + 1 + 1 |
| Goal difference | +11 | 14 − 3 |
| Goals scored per match | 3.50 | 14 ÷ 4 |
| Goals conceded per match | 0.75 | 3 ÷ 4 |
| Average goal difference per match | +2.75 | 11 ÷ 4 |
| Maximum possible final points | 24 | 12 current + 12 remaining |
These are original calculations derived from the four reported results, not separate official statistical categories.
One particularly valuable finding is that Al Ain have earned 12 of their possible 24 league-stage points despite having played only half their scheduled fixtures.
That puts the club in a powerful position before the second half of the competition begins.
Al Ittihad’s Second Home Defeat Against UAE Opposition Raises Serious Questions
For Al Ittihad, Monday’s defeat was particularly damaging because it repeated an earlier pattern.
On October 13, Shabab Al Ahli defeated the Saudi club 2-1 in Jeddah.
Sardar Azmoun scored twice inside the opening 16 minutes before Richard Ríos reduced the deficit.
Al Ittihad finished with 21 shots, seven on target and approximately 65% possession but could not find an equalizer.
Our detailed report on that defeat examined how the Saudi team struggled to turn attacking volume into effective finishing.
Against Al Ain, the problem was different in scale but similar in consequence.
Al Ittihad again conceded early and faced a difficult recovery.
They managed to reduce the deficit, but their inability to prevent another goal left the comeback unfinished.
What Has Changed Since Al Ittihad’s Victory Against Neftchi?
Al Ittihad had appeared to turn a corner on Matchday 3.
They recovered from an early deficit against Neftchi Fergana, with Houssem Aouar equalizing before Youssef En-Nesyri scored a late free kick to secure a 2-1 victory.
That win moved the Saudi side to four points and provided relief after a draw and defeat in their opening two matches.
But a single comeback did not establish that the team’s difficulties had been resolved.
Al Ain’s victory demonstrates that Al Ittihad remain vulnerable when opponents convert their attacking opportunities efficiently.
The issue is no longer whether the Saudi side possess attacking talent.
It is whether they can construct performances that prevent opponents from gaining decisive early advantages.
Why Al Ittihad’s Domestic Form Has Not Translated Into Continental Control
Al Ittihad have shown considerable quality in Saudi domestic competition.
Earlier in the season, George Ilenikhena helped the club defeat Al Fayha 2-1, with En-Nesyri scoring the winning penalty.
TSE’s analysis of that Saudi Pro League victory examined the team’s ability to recover after conceding.
However, domestic results and continental performances cannot be treated as interchangeable.
The AFC Champions League Elite presents different opponents, travel demands and tactical challenges.
Al Ittihad’s domestic attacking resources are clear.
The continental record is less convincing.
They have collected only four points from their first four games, leaving substantial work ahead if they are to finish among the West Region’s leading eight clubs.
What Do 12 Points Mean for Al Ain’s Round of 16 Qualification?
The expanded AFC Champions League Elite uses regional league tables rather than traditional four-team groups.
The West Region contains 16 participating clubs.
Each plays eight league-stage matches against different regional opponents, with four home fixtures and four away fixtures.
The top eight clubs advance to the Round of 16.
The same system applies to the East Region.
Al Ain’s four victories have created a major advantage, but qualification depends on the final standings.
Have Al Ain Already Qualified for the Knockout Stage?
No qualification should be declared mathematically secured without confirming that the remaining fixtures cannot push the team below eighth place.
At the halfway point, other clubs still have opportunities to collect points.
Al Ain’s 12-point total is exceptionally encouraging, but the final qualification threshold will depend on results across the West Region.
Goal difference and other AFC tiebreaking provisions may also become relevant if teams finish level on points.
What Happens If Al Ain Win Their Next Match?
Another victory would take Al Ain to 15 points from five matches.
That would strengthen their position considerably, but the exact mathematical qualification implications would still depend on the other teams’ results.
Two additional victories from the remaining four games would bring them to 18 points.
A perfect eight-match campaign would produce 24 points.
| Remaining Four Games | Additional Points | Final Total | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Four defeats | 0 | 12 | Current total remains; qualification not guaranteed |
| Four draws | 4 | 16 | More points, but position depends on rival results |
| One win, three draws | 6 | 18 | Strong numerical platform |
| Two wins, two defeats | 6 | 18 | Same final points through a different route |
| Three wins, one defeat | 9 | 21 | Very strong final points total |
| Four wins | 12 | 24 | Perfect eight-match record |
These scenarios are mathematical illustrations, not predictions or guarantees of an eventual finishing position.
The actual qualification boundary must be recalculated as the standings develop.
TSE’s detailed guide to the expanded 2026/27 tournament draw explains the new structure, fixtures and progression system.
Al Ittihad Qualification Scenarios: Four Matches to Repair the Damage
Al Ittihad’s position is substantially more difficult.
They have one victory, one draw and two defeats from four matches.
That leaves four points from a possible 12.
Their maximum possible league-stage total is now 16 points.
Even winning their remaining four games would not recover the points already dropped.
| Results in Final Four Matches | Additional Points | Final Total | Qualification Implication |
|---|---|---|---|
| Four wins | 12 | 16 | Strong recovery, dependent on final standings |
| Three wins, one draw | 10 | 14 | Major improvement, other results still relevant |
| Three wins, one defeat | 9 | 13 | Potentially competitive but not guaranteed |
| Two wins, two draws | 8 | 12 | Requires favorable wider results |
| Four draws | 4 | 8 | Limited recovery from current position |
| Four defeats | 0 | 4 | No further improvement |
The figures illustrate how expensive Al Ittihad’s early dropped points have become.
They do not establish a fixed qualification threshold because the competition is decided by relative finishing position.
Al Ain’s Continental Revival Continues Despite Their Domestic Setback
Al Ain’s flawless AFC Champions League Elite campaign contrasts with a recent setback in UAE domestic football.
On October 17, Shabab Al Ahli defeated them 2-0 to end a historic 38-match unbeaten UAE Pro League run.
The sequence had lasted 567 days.
TSE’s UAE Pro League report documented the end of that unbeaten streak and the consequences for the domestic title race.
That defeat could have damaged Al Ain’s confidence ahead of important continental fixtures.
Instead, they defeated Tractor in their next AFC Champions League Elite appearance and followed it with Monday’s 4-1 victory in Saudi Arabia.
The contrasting performances highlight the need to evaluate each competition separately.
One domestic loss does not erase a club’s continental strengths.
Equally, four Asian victories do not guarantee that Al Ain will dominate every remaining UAE Pro League match.
Why Has Al Ain’s Ability to Respond Become a Recurring Theme?
Earlier in September, Al Ain recovered from trailing Al Wasl to secure a 2-2 draw through Valentino Lazaro’s late equalizer.
TSE’s Al Ain-Al Wasl analysis explored the champions’ ability to rescue results under pressure.
That resilience also appeared against Tractor when Houssine Rahimi restored Al Ain’s lead after the Iranian side equalized.
Against Al Ittihad, the challenge was different.
Al Ain established a two-goal lead before halftime, conceded once and then restored their advantage.
The common feature is an ability to produce decisive scoring contributions when a contest threatens to change direction.
How Do Al Ain Compare With Defending Champions Al Ahli?
Al Ain have established an early advantage in the West Region, but defending champions Al Ahli remain a significant obstacle.
Al Ahli began their campaign with a difficult 1-1 draw against Pakhtakor.
Feras Al Brikan rescued the result with a stoppage-time equalizer.
Our report on Al Ahli’s opening escape examined the pressure facing the holders.
They subsequently recovered to beat Al Wasl 3-1 in Dubai, a result covered in TSE’s Matchday 2 analysis.
On Monday, however, Al Ahli were held 0-0 by Al Sadd.
That result contrasts with Al Ain’s continuing perfect record.
Nevertheless, the defending champions have extensive experience of high-pressure Asian knockout football.
A comparison of their early league-stage points alone does not settle which side would be stronger in a direct elimination match.
Other AFC Champions League Elite Matchday 4 Results
Monday’s West Region fixtures produced several additional developments.
Continue the AFC Champions League Elite Story
AFC Champions League EliteRahimi Double Powers Al Ain to 4-1 Win as Esteghlal Beat Al Gharafa to Maintain Perfect AFC Elite Starts
AFC Champions LeagueAFC Champions League Elite: Rahimi Fires Al Ain to 9 Points as Al Ahli, Al Ittihad Win Late
AFC Champions League EliteFive Goals in 28 Minutes Rescue Kashiwa as Kobe Punish Jeonbuk to Keep Japan’s Asian Charge PerfectAl Nassr responded to their difficult continental start by defeating Pakhtakor 6-2, with João Félix scoring twice.
Defending champions Al Ahli drew 0-0 with Al Sadd.
Al Qadsiah defeated Al Gharafa 5-0 to continue their improvement.
Al Wasl earned their first win by overcoming Air Force SC 4-3.
Tractor and Neftchi shared a 2-2 draw after a dramatic late equalizer.
| Match | Result | Key Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Al Ittihad vs Al Ain | 1-4 | Al Ain move to 12 points |
| Pakhtakor vs Al Nassr | 2-6 | Al Nassr move to six points from three matches |
| Al Ahli vs Al Sadd | 0-0 | Defending champions drop two points |
| Al Gharafa vs Al Qadsiah | 0-5 | Al Qadsiah move to eight points |
| Al Wasl vs Air Force SC | 4-3 | Al Wasl claim their first win |
| Tractor vs Neftchi | 2-2 | Late equalizer changes the points outcome |
These results provide context for the league-stage race, but they do not represent the completed West Region matchday while other scheduled fixtures remain outstanding.
What Does Al Ain’s Victory Reveal About the Balance Between Saudi and UAE Football?
Al Ain have now defeated two high-profile Saudi clubs in their opening four continental appearances.
They beat Al Nassr 4-0 before winning 4-1 against Al Ittihad.
Across those two matches, Al Ain scored eight goals and conceded only one.
That represents an aggregate score of 8-1 against the two Saudi opponents.
The figures are striking, particularly given the prominence and resources of leading Saudi Pro League clubs.
However, two club-level results cannot establish that the UAE league is collectively stronger than the Saudi league.
League quality requires a much larger body of evidence covering many clubs and matches.
The immediate conclusion is narrower and more defensible.
Al Ain have proved they can defeat major Saudi opponents convincingly in the AFC Champions League Elite.
Saudi clubs remain dangerous, as demonstrated by Al Nassr’s 6-2 victory over Pakhtakor and Al Qadsiah’s five-goal win against Al Gharafa.
Their broader competitive strength was also demonstrated in domestic football when NEOM defeated Al Hilal 2-0 to end the latter’s perfect league start.
TSE’s report on that Saudi Pro League upset provides further evidence that even powerful and well-resourced teams can be beaten by tactically disciplined opponents.
What Happens Next in the AFC Champions League Elite?
The league stage continues with further West and East Region fixtures.
Al Ain next face Esteghlal during the following round, according to the current competition schedule.
That encounter offers another opportunity to extend their winning run.
For Al Ittihad, the remaining four matches will determine whether the team can recover enough points to finish among the qualifying positions.
The final West Region standings will also determine each qualifying team’s Round of 16 pathway.
The knockout competition eventually moves toward a centralized finals phase in Saudi Arabia.
The quarterfinals, semifinals and final are scheduled to take place there during April and May 2027.
The 2027 final is scheduled for May 1.
Al Ain vs Al Ittihad 4-1: Frequently Asked Questions
Who Won Al Ittihad vs Al Ain on November 2, 2026?
Al Ain defeated Al Ittihad 4-1 in Jeddah during AFC Champions League Elite Matchday 4.
Who Scored for Al Ain?
Alejandro Romero, Rafael Rodrigues and Matías Palacios scored, while Jan-Carlo Simic also registered an own goal that benefited Al Ain.
Who Scored Al Ittihad’s Goal?
Marwan Al Sahafi scored for Al Ittihad shortly after halftime.
How Many Points Do Al Ain Have?
Al Ain have 12 points from four victories.
Have Al Ain Qualified for the Round of 16?
Their position is strong, but mathematical qualification should not be declared until the relevant standings and remaining possibilities confirm it.
What Is Al Ain’s Goal Difference?
Al Ain have scored 14 goals and conceded three, giving them a goal difference of plus 11.
How Many Points Do Al Ittihad Have?
Al Ittihad have four points from four matches.
What Is Al Ittihad’s Maximum Possible League-Stage Total?
The Saudi club can finish with a maximum of 16 points by winning its remaining four fixtures.
How Many Teams Qualify for the Knockout Stage?
The top eight teams from each 16-team regional league advance to the Round of 16.
How Many Matches Does Each Team Play?
Each club plays eight league-stage matches against different opponents from its region.
Where Will the 2027 AFC Champions League Elite Final Be Held?
The centralized finals phase is scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia, with the final scheduled for May 1, 2027.
Al Ain Have Done More Than Win Four Games. They Have Set the Standard.
Al Ain’s 4-1 victory over Al Ittihad is significant for reasons extending beyond the final score.
They have now defeated four different opponents, scored 14 goals and collected every available point.
Their attack has demonstrated both individual quality and a broader range of scoring contributors.
Their defensive record has remained comparatively strong despite facing leading clubs from several national leagues.
And their victories against Al Nassr and Al Ittihad show that prominent Saudi opponents have not been able to prevent them from imposing their own game.
Al Ain are not guaranteed the continental title.
They have not even mathematically completed the task of reaching the knockout stage.
But the position they have created is difficult to ignore.
For Al Ittihad, the picture is very different.
Four points from four matches leave little margin for further failure.
The Saudi side must turn its attacking resources into more complete performances, particularly when facing opponents capable of capitalizing on defensive errors.
At the halfway stage, the distinction between these two clubs could hardly be clearer.
One has won every match and built a significant cushion.
The other has already dropped eight of the 12 points available.
Al Ain have established the benchmark for the West Region.
The remaining question is whether anyone can prevent them from carrying that form into the knockout rounds.
Official competition references: Read the AFC’s Al Ittihad-Al Ain match preview, follow the official AFC Champions League Elite competition coverage, and review the AFC’s latest match reports and competition updates.
AFC Champions League Elite
- Al Ain Humiliate Al Ittihad 4-1 in Jeddah to Take Control of AFC Champions League Elite
- AFC Champions League Elite: Rahimi Fires Al Ain to 9 Points as Al Ahli, Al Ittihad Win Late
- Five Goals in 28 Minutes Rescue Kashiwa as Kobe Punish Jeonbuk to Keep Japan’s Asian Charge Perfect
- Azmoun’s Two Early Blows Sink Al-Ittihad Despite 21-Shot Siege in Jeddah
- Watkins Strikes, Neves Settles the Score: Al Hilal Turn the Tables on Al Sadd in Doha
