Source - AFC WEB SITE www.the-afc.com...Beirut: Coach Abdulaziz Abdulshafi hopes Lebanon League champions Al Nejmeh can take inspiration from Wednesday’s 3-0 win against India's East Bengal into next week’s trip to Syria to face Al Ittihad.
Senegalese striker Makhete Diop and Abbas Atwi struck in the first half at Beirut Sports City Stadium before Bilal El Najjarine wrapped up a comfortable win for Al Nejmeh from the penalty spot at the start of the second half.
And with Al Ittihad being held to a goalless draw with Al Qadsia at home, unbeaten Al Nejmeh moved to the top of Group D alongside the Syrians ahead of their trip to Aleppo International Stadium next Wednesday.
"The players were good and they scored three goals. Things could have been better but we couldn't score from the other chances we created," said Abdulshafi.
"We must work now and prepare for the game against Al Ittihad which will be very hard for us."
Abdulshafi only took over last week from Emile Rustom after the Lebanon national team coach resigned following the 1-1 draw with Al Qadisa last month.
"The win against East Bengal will give us a big push as it will give us a lot of confidence before the upcoming games,” added Abdulshafi, who also oversaw a 3-0 win over Al Ahli Saida at the weekend.
“I still haven't had enough time with the team and I hope that in the next days things will be better."
Meanwhile, East Bengal’s Belgian coach Philippe de Ridder admitted the visitors were simply beaten by the better team.
The only real highlight for East Bengal, who suffered a second consecutive defeat, was Singam Subash Singh striking the Al Nejmeh upright after six minutes with the game goalless.
"I think the result is fair because Al Nejmeh were the better side in the first half and they managed to score three goals. Their performance in the first half put at end to the game,” said de Ridder.
"Al Nejmeh applied good pressure and they managed to score two goals in the first half while in the second period we tried our best to get back into the game but we failed to score.
"The players were really tired in the second half.
“I have also recently took charge of the team and we will be working on each upcoming match.”
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