Arabian Gulf League champions Al Ain suffered a 2-1 first-leg loss to ES Setif in the first round of their Arab Club Champions Cup campaign on Tuesday.

The Boss faced the Algerian outfit in Croatian capital Zagrab and got off to the perfect start when Ibrahim Diaky slotted home a first-half penalty.

But Al Ain who fielded a strong side were unable to build on their tally and were made to pay as ES Setif equalised before half-time before finding a late winner.

The two sides will meet again in the second leg on Saturday at the same venue – Stadion Maksimir in Zagreb.

Al Ain are one of three UAE clubs in the competition with Al Wasl and Al Jazira kicking off their campaigns later in August. Altogether, 32 teams from 15 nations, apart from Qatar, Yemen and Palestine, are competing.