AL AHLI 2-3 AL SHABAB
Al Shabab coach Paulo Bonamigo said his side will fight all the way to end of the season for the Pro League title, after watching them defeat Dubai neighbours Al Ahli 3-2 in a pulsating game at Rashid Stadium, and close to within six points of leaders Al Ain.
The visitors took the lead on three separate occasions, yet were made to work until the final whistle by a determined Ahli side, intent on stretching Shabab’s winless streak to five games. Brazilian wideman Ciel was the star of the show for the visitors, his pace and power down the right flank a real thorn in the side of the home defence.
“We’ll keep trying our best, and we still believe the competition this season will be the same as last season,” said Bonamigo. “Al Ain is playing well and getting excellent results, but these three points today give them team motivation to get more good results.”
Achille Emana somehow failed to put Ahli into a 14th minute lead, as he poked wide of Ismail Juma’s goal, having collected Grafite’s flick on. It was a glorious opening and one that came as much through sheer luck as anything, as the Shabab defence had looked to have dealt with the situation until the ball fell kindly to the midfielder.
Just before the half hour mark Shabab had the lead from the penalty spot, Ceil converting after Badel Abdulrahman had illegally ended Walid Abbas’ purposeful run into the area. It was a lead merited by Bonamigo’s men, after an enterprising opening had seen them cause trouble for the home defence on numerous occasions.
And Shabab had Abbas to thank again, as his clearance off the line prevented Ahli from equalising four minutes later, the full back arriving in the right place to sweep from under the crossbar after Grafite had poked past Juma. Ahli did have their equalizer soon after, however, and in some style. Emana took aim from wide on the right and unleashed an unstoppable shot past Juma, who was rooted to the spot. It was an astonishing finish from Emana, the sheer velocity of the shot meaning Juma had no chance of saving it.
However, Ahli’s lead was short lived, as that man Abbas found the back of the net after collecting Haydarov Azizbek’s weak shot. Quique Sanchez Flores remonstrated with the fourth official, claiming Abbas was offside, but the goal stood.
But Shabab themselves were left to query the decision from which Ahli levelled matters, right on the stroke of half-time. Ismael Al Hamadi’s surging run into the box was halted by a clean tackle from Adel Abdulla, but referee Mohamed Abdulkarim Al Zarouni, after a moments hesitation, pointed to the spot. Grafite sent the sides in at 2-2, despite Juma guessing correctly.
The second half began in the same manner as the first, with both sides creating, and squandering, presentable openings. It wasn’t until the 74th minute that the killer touch was provided, and in some style. Ciel sent in a superb first-time delivery, and Kieza was on hand at the back post to apply the finishing touch. The cross was in the danger spot between goalkeeper and centre half, and Kieza, a January arrival from Brazilian side Nautico, could do little but score with it.
An identical chance presented itself to Essa Obaid a minute later, but he somehow spooned over with the goal gaping. Ahli provided little threat in the closing stages and Shabab travelled the short distance home with a deserved three points.
Al Ahli (4-5-1): GK Al Taweela 6; RB Abdulrahman 6, CB Y. Mohamed 6, CB Saeed 6, LB Marzooq 5; RM Khamis 7, CM Ghanim 7, CM T. Ahmed 6, CM Emana ,7 LM Al Hamadi 7; CF Grafite 6
Subs: Hussain for Ghanim (‘11,6), Abdulla for Al Taweela (‘68, 6), Hassan for Ahmed (‘78, 6)
Shabab (4-2-3-1): GK Juma 7; RB Qassim 7, CB Almuhairi 7, CB Dhahi 7, LB Abbas 9; DM Azizbek 7, DM Abdulla 6; RM Ciel 9, AM Villanueva 7, LM Obaid 7; CF Kieza 7
Subs: Anbar for Abdulla (‘46,6), Marzooq for Dhali (‘57, 6)
Attendance: 2,570