Daei and Karimi Scored in emirates league

Gulf News - Al Ahli revived their hopes of winning the league title after scoring a resounding win over Dubai Club 4-2 in the 16th stage of the First Division football league, held at the Al Aweer stadium yesterday.


Al Ahli led 2-1 in the first half. The UAE national team striker Faisal Khalil, who scored a hat-trick, was the hero for Al Ahli, while Ali Karimi, who returned for the first time following an injury which sidelined him for 39 days, scored the fourth goal.

Karimi, who played yesterday in the last 10 minutes, showed his old magic and will be ready for the coming league match against Al Shaab.

Chilean Cristian and Ali Hasan scored for Dubai Club. Despite this victory, Ahli stayed in the fourth place. However, they increased their tally to 28 points, five adrift of leaders Al Wahda.

Dubai Club dropped to 11th place, second from bottom and have to work hard in the coming matches to keep their position in first division.

In the second match held at Maktoum bin Rashid stadium, Al Nasr continued to lose points after being held to a 3-3 draw by hosts Al Shabab. The visitors squandered a 3-1 lead with Al Shabab, led by Iranian striker Ali Daei, fighting hard until they succeeded in levelling the scores and claim one point, which could help them escape from relegation zone.

Nasr led 2-1 in the first session, Walid Murad opened the score for Nasr in 6 minute, Brazilian Geraldo leveled for Shabab from the spot in 28 minute with French striker Semba hit the second for Nasr two minutes before the break. Walid made it 3-1 after eight minutes of resumption.

Nasr defenders and goalkeeper couldn't keep their lead and Geraldo scored the second in 63 minute. Ali Daei hit the equaliser in 75 minute to make it 3-3. Nasr stayed fifth with 25 point while Shabab in 10th place with 14 point.

Al Ain lost valuable two points in the title race when they held goalless by Al Wasl in Dubai. The two teams adopted a cautious approach to avoid any threat to their goals despite strikers Farhad and Emannuel for Al Wasl and Sango and Traori for Al Ain losing some good scoring chances throughout the 90 minutes.

Al Ain become second with 30 points, while Al Wasl are in seventh place with 19 points.

Al Shaab's dream of winning the league title for the first time was shattered yesterday when they lost to neighbours Sharjah 2-1.

Brazilian striker Andersson scored Sharjah two goals and Abdul Rahim Choclate hit a consolation for Shaab, who stayed third with 29 points, while Sharjah lifted themselves off the relegation zone to stay eighth with 18 points.