Second Loss for Kazma... in the 'Gulf Champions'
Kazma suffered their second defeat in the tournament against UAE's Ajman with a score of 1-2, while Ajman topped the group.
Translated by Qiyas from الراي — Original source
Al-Kaifaa suffered their second consecutive defeat in the Gulf Club Champions League football tournament, falling 1-2 to their UAE visitors, Ajman, on Tuesday at the Friendship and Peace Stadium, in the second round of Group C matches.
Ajman topped the group standings with six points, while Al-Kaifaa, known as “The Orange,” remained winless after losing their opening match 2-0 to Saudi side Al-Ittihad.
In the same group, Iraqi club Erbil (with no points) will face Al-Ittihad (three points) on Wednesday.
Al-Kaifaa did not start the match as planned, losing concentration in the opening minutes, which cost them an early goal. Moroccan player Walid Azaro chased a forward pass that a Kaifaa defender attempted to clear, allowing Brazilian player Lorenzo Rodriguez to face goalkeeper Hussein Kenconi and slot the ball into the net (4th minute).
The “Orange” side’s defensive confusion continued, and they nearly conceded two more goals in the first quarter-hour, saved only by the crossbar deflecting a powerful shot from Moroccan player Ismail Moumen, and Kenconi’s save from another Moroccan, Saad Al-Hedani.
In contrast, Al-Kaifaa lacked threat going forward, with their attempts limited to efforts from Shabib Al-Khalidi and Brazilian player Patrick Robson, none of which were completed.
Kenconi saved a certain goal from Al-Hedani, who was through on goal after a mistake by Al-Mutahib (33rd minute), but he could not deny Azaro’s header from a corner taken by Brazilian player Victor Henrique (37th minute).
Al-Kaifaa had to wait until stoppage time to threaten the visitors’ goal for the first time, with Al-Khalidi’s header lacking power and ending in the arms of goalkeeper Ali Al-Housni.
At the start of the second half, coach Tadić brought on Yemeni player Nasser Mohammed and German player Torlies Nol, replacing Othman Al-Shamari and Patrick. The substitutions injected vitality into Al-Kaifaa’s attack, which began to press closer to Ajman’s goal.
Al-Khalidi missed a clear chance when he faced Al-Housni and shot, but the goalkeeper pushed the ball into a corner (55th minute). Then, Al-Kaifaa managed to reduce the deficit after a cross from Senegalese player Amano Ndao, set up by forward Fahad Al-Hajri in front of the goal, which Torlies volleys into the net (58th minute).
