Ahli’s opening victory over Hiroshima Sanfrecce was overshadowed by the news that skipper Hossam Ghaly will be out for six months after damaging knee ligaments during the game.

“For me, I would rather lose and get out of the tournament than see one of my teammates injured,” Barakat told Ahli’s website.

“Hossam is a player of great value to us. Hopefully he will return to us as soon as possible because he is a team captain and his injury made us all very sad.”

Meanwhile, Ghaly is set to return home from Nagoya ahead of flying to Germany to have knee surgery this month.