Best of the Mohicans – Leonardo takes charge for Jeonbuk in 2-1 first-leg AFC Champions League win over Al Ain
The Brazilian fires in a brilliant equaliser and coolly slots the winner from the sport after Omar Abdulrahman gives the Emiratis the lead
Brazilian forward Leonardo hit a blistering second-half double as Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors came from behind to beat Al Ain 2-1 and grab the initiative in the two-legged AFC Champions League final.
The mohican-sporting frontman grabbed his ninth and 10th goals of the competition to outshine Al Ain hotshot Omar Abdulrahman and put Jeonbuk in the driving seat ahead of next week’s second leg.
Top-rated Abdulrahman, nicknamed “Amoory”, delivered a sublime assist for Danilo Asprilla’s second-half opener but Leonardo then took control with a scorching equaliser and an ice-cool penalty seven minutes later.
It gives South Korea’s Jeonbuk the edge going into next week’s game against the Emiratis in Abu Dhabi, where both teams are seeking their second AFC Champions League title.
A tense first half saw plenty of uncompromising tackles but little goalmouth action in front of a packed and noisy crowd at Jeonju World Cup Stadium.
Jeonbuk won a string of free kicks around the box but Leonardo’s delivery was disappointing with Al Ain’s Khalid Eisa having little trouble punching clear.