<div><img style="" class="img-responsive" src="https://www.qsl.qa/sites/default/files/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%BA%D8%B1%D8%A7%D…; alt="Alt" title="" /></div>
<p>QNB Stars League side Al Gharafa went down fighting to the UAE’s Al Jazira 2-3 in their opening AFC Champions League Group A match at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Monday.</p><p>Brazilian striker Romarinho broke free on the wing and attempted to find team-mate Ali Mabkhout, but his cross found its way to the back of the net, tricking Al Gharafa goalkeeper Qassim Burhan in the 10th minute.</p><p>Al Gharafa struck back in the next minute through new recruit and Iranian striker Mehdi Taremi, who found space inside the Al Jazira box to fire home past Ali Khaseif.</p><p>The Emirati champions restored their lead in the 27th after Moroccan playmaker Mbark Boussoufa sent Mabkhout through on goal with a defence-splitting pass. The UAE international applied a calm finish past Burhan for their second goal.</p><p>The pick of the goals came in the 69th when Romarinho nodded for Ahmed Al Hashmi to strike on the half-volley from 40 yards out to make it 3-1.</p><p>Ahmed Alaeldin twisted and turned inside the Al Jazira box and unleashed a low drive that hit the upright and fell for Dutch superstar Wesley Sneijder to tap in Al Gharafa’s second goal two minutes later.</p><p>However, it was too late for Al Gharafa as Al Jazira collected full points.</p>