Ismaili kicked off their Arab Champions League campaign with an easy 3-1 home victory over Bahraini side Busaiteen in the first-leg of the competition's round of 32. The Dervishes, who chose to play in the ACL rather than participating in the CAF Champions League, laid siege to the visitors' area in the first half but failed to break down a tight defense. The breakthrough came four minutes after the interval, thanks to Mostafa Karim's goal. The Iraqi striker made an immediate impact after replacing the below-par Youssef Gamal, who squandered a clear-cut opportunity in the first half. Ismaili skipper Mohamed Hommos doubled the lead in the 63rd minute.
He was found unmarked by Hani Deif's cross to send a looping header over the advancing keeper from inside the area. In-form playmaker Abdullah Saied put the result beyond doubt in the 75th minute after some brilliant individual work from Omar Gamal. Diminutive winger Gamal beat two challengers down the left before providing a low cross that eluded the keeper and found Saied, who had the easies of tap-ins. Mohamed Al-Ansari pulled one back in stoppage time after capitalizing on some sloppy defending. His goal keeps Busaiteen's hopes of going through alive. They will host Ismaili in the second-leg in two weeks time.
