Syrian Champions Al-Taleaah claimed a last-gasp 2-1 win over Gaish to snatch a very precious victory in Cairo in their Arab Champions League group stage opener. Yamen Aboud broke the deadlock in the 39th minute but Anwar Messaoud leveled the score in the 82nd minute. Belal Tatan restored the visitors lead and sealed the full points of the game just second before the final whistle. Taleaah climbed to the top of the group that includes also USM of Algiers and Wydad Casablanca with three points. League leaders Gaish seemed far from their renowned form as they were surprised by Taleaah's intensive attack. Yamen Aboud profited from a double mistake by keeper Gharib Hafez and defender Gomaa Mashhour to put his side ahead. The hosts pressed forward and forced the Syrians to get back on defense. The Egyptians sent four shots bouncing back from the woodwork before Messaoud could score the equalizer 8 minutes before time. But Talaat Youssef's men maintained their pressure and left a lot of spaces behind that allowed to Tatan to hit them on the counter in the 90th minute. The defeat comes as a big blow for Gaish as this game was considered as the easiest one for them especially that they'll face tough contenders in the next rounds.
