Al Ain Secure Resounding Gulf Cup Victory over Bahrain's Sitra

Al Ain secured their first victory in the Gulf Club Champions League with a commanding 4-1 win over Bahrain's Sitra at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium. The victory gives the UAE club their first three points and puts them back in contention for a knockout stage spot in Group 1.

The match started with Al Ain taking control despite fielding several second-string players. Their relentless attacking pressure paid off in the 22nd minute when Sitra's Ibrahim Jamal accidentally scored an own goal under pressure from the home side.

Sitra fought back and found their equalizer just before halftime. Brazilian striker Carlos Vasquez capitalized on a chance inside the penalty area in the 41st minute, slotting the ball past Al Ain's goalkeeper to level the score at 1-1.

But the second half belonged entirely to Al Ain. They regained their lead in the 82nd minute through Youssef Suleiman, who followed up on a cross from Cameroonian forward Haliru Sarki to make it 2-1.

The floodgates opened from there. Moroccan midfielder Hussein Rahimi added the third goal just four minutes later, beating the keeper in a one-on-one situation. Sarki then capped off the scoring spree with a fourth goal in stoppage time, finding himself alone against the goalkeeper for an easy finish.

The result marks a crucial turnaround for Al Ain, who needed points to stay competitive in their group. Their attacking display, even with a rotated squad, shows the depth the club has built for continental competition. The victory also demonstrates how quickly momentum can shift in knockout-stage tournaments, where every point matters for advancing to the next round.

For Sitra, the heavy defeat leaves them with work to do in their remaining group matches. Despite showing fight in the first half, their defensive struggles in the final stages cost them dearly against a clinical Al Ain side.