Togolese international Kodjo Laba was the hero of the day as Al Ain began their Asian Champions League with a 3-0 win over Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor.

Laba scored a brace in the game to give his team the three points in Group A.

By the eleventh minute, Al Ain had taken the lead thanks to a brilliant touch by Laba at the near post on Bandar Al Ahbabi’s cross that gave goalie Sanjar Kuvvatov no chance.

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The 31-year-old was also involved in the second goal, gaining control after a mix-up in the middle of the pitch and feeding Khalid Al Baloushi, who first-timed a precise shot into the corner.

65 minutes have passed. When Laba grabbed Park Yong-woo’s pass and steadied himself to spear his shot into the top corner, he put the outcome beyond dispute.

Al Ain and FC Ahal of Turkmenistan are tied on three points after FC Ahal’s unexpected 1-0 victory over Al Fayha of Saudi Arabia was made possible by Elman Tagayew’s long-range goal in the second half.