Al Ain v Al Hilal: ACL semi-final postponed due to rain and bad weather

UAE weather live: Emirates hit by severe storms

The highly anticipated Asian Champions League semi-final between Al Ain and Al Hilal has been postponed until Wednesday after rain and thunderstorms hit the UAE.

The first leg, which pits against one another 2003 Asian champions Al Ain and record four-time winners Hilal, was initially scheduled to take place on Tuesday night at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium.

However, the game has been pushed back 24 hours because of the adverse weather conditions that blanketed the Emirates on Tuesday morning, with more forecast for later in the afternoon.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Al Ain said they “welcomed” the Asian Football Confederation’s decision to postpone the game “for the safety of fans who are scheduled to arrive from all the emirates of the country and the sister kingdom of Saudi Arabia”.

The first leg will kick off at the same time of 8pm, with the original matchday tickets remaining valid.

So far, there is no news regarding the return fixture, originally slated for April 23 in Riyadh, being impacted by the postponement. Hilal, runners-up last year, are currently on a world-record run of 34 consecutive wins. They hold a 12-point lead at the top of the Saudi Pro League.

Al Ain, meanwhile, lie third in the Adnoc Pro League. They are three-time Champions League finalists, most recently in 2016.

Hernan Crespo’s side overcame Hilal’s fellow Saudi giants Al Nassr in the quarter-finals. They beat Cristiano Ronaldo’s side 1-0 in the first leg in the UAE and then went through after a penalty shootout in Riyadh, prevailing 3-1 on spot-kicks after the match finished 4-3 to the hosts to leave the tie level at 4-4.

Soufiane Rahimi scored the only goal of the first leg at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, the Moroccan also bagging a brace at Al Awwal Stadium, with Sultan Al Shamsi getting the other goal.

Al Hilal also inflicted defeat on Al Nassr, defeating their Riyadh rivals 2-1 in the Saudi Super Cup semi-final in Abu Dhabi before going on to beat Al Ittihad in the final.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Football Association confirmed all matches in local football competitions would be postponed, included the two scheduled fixtures in the Adnoc Pro League between Al Jazira and Khorfakkan, and Ajman and Al Bataeh.

Workers cut down a tree that was uprooted by the storm in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

A vehicle submerged on a waterlogged road in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

A fence is blown over during the storm in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Vehicles splash through the Dubai – Abu Dhabi motorway during the heavy rain in Abu Dhabi. Pawan Singh / The National

A vehicle drives through a flooded road on a wet day in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Two men navigate Dubai’s flooded roads on a raft made from gas cylinders. Antonie Robertson / The National

Trying to keep flooding out of a business in Al Quoz, Dubai. According to some measurements, 158mm of rain fell in 24 hours. Antonie Robertson / The National

One pedestrian is still smiling despite the flooding, in Al Quoz, Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

Waves form in Dubai floodwaters. Nic Ridley/ The National

Dark clouds over Aldar headquarters in Al Raha, Abu Dhabi. Evelyn Lau / The National

Wrapped up for the elements in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

More storms are forecast for Dubai, with dark skies overhead. Nic Ridley/ The National

A young boy goes for a walk on a rainy day in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Heavy rain fell for several hours in Dubai on Tuesday morning, in what forecasters said was the first wave of stormy weather. Antonie Robertson / The National

Lightning strikes in Abu Dhabi on Monday. Roy Cooper/ The National

There were large puddles in Dubai after heavy rain overnight. Antonie Robertson/The National

A cyclist travels amid clean-up efforts in Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National

A motorist’s car is stranded on a flooded Dubai road, following torrential rain. Antonie Robertson / The National

Clean-up efforts are under way in Dubai after heavy rain. Antonie Robertson/The National

Dark clouds linger over Dubai with more adverse weather forecast. Antonie Robertson/The National

Dark skies over Reem Island in Abu Dhabi. Zoya Thomas/ The National

Forecasters warned of ‘hazardous weather events’ until Wednesday evening. Antonie Robertson/The National

Workers clear standing water in Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National

Drivers faced a difficult commute after heavy rain in Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National

Clean-up efforts began in Dubai after heavy rain. Antonie Robertson/The National