Al Ahli edge Al Shaab 2-1

khaleejtimes - Al Ahli fought back from a goal down at home to overcome battling Al Shaab of Sharjah 2-1 in the UAE National Football League here yesterday.

After a scrappy first-half, the match came to life on resumption for Iran’s Ali Samara to convert a spot kick to put the visitors in front on the hour. But Al Ahli responded in style to draw level after just three minutes through their Argentine import Fernando Rodrigues. Adil Abdul Aziz then snatch the winner for the home team when he finished off Salim Khamis’ initiative after 78 minutes.

In another match of the day, newly promoted Diba Hisn snatched a point at home when they held Al Shabab to a 3-3 draw.

The victory was Al Ahli’s second in succession after beating Al Shabab 2-0 in the first round match last week, raising their points tally in the championship to six. Al Ahli and Al Shaab, however, could not put on any impressive display in the first-half due to the hot and humid weather.

Al Ahli started brightly with captain of the side Salim Khamis and Faisal Khalil spearheading the attack. But the home side soon went on the defensive as Al Shaab gradually crawled their way into the game. The best chance for Al Shaab was from a free-kick at the edge of the box after Bader Yakoub had fouled Saif Mohammed. But Abdul Rahman wasted the opportunity as he lofted his effort over the bar.

And at the other end, Al Shaab’s keeper Jamal Abdullah failed in his attempt to stop a through pass reaching Faisal Khalil but a defender saved the situation heading away for corner. Al Ahli slightly dominated after that for Jamal to deny Salim Khamis in the 11th minute while Qawan Martin sliced an effort wide two minutes later. Al Ahli’s keeper Abdullah Moosa was also alert in the 15th minute to parry a fierce volley by Ibrahim Saif from 18 metres for a corner. Al Ahli defence, marshalled by Mohammed Qasim and Adil Abdul Aziz, had to make a series of crucial tackles as their opponents mounted intense pressure in search of goal. Al Shaab continuous forays saw Ibrahim Saif miss an easy scoring chance from just ten metres following a cross from Adrian Eduardo on the right. Al Ahli’s keeper Abdullah Moosa amothered another effort after Ibrahim Khalil had found his way through the defence.

Al Ahli, however, were more enterprising after the break as they breached Al Shaab defence on several occasions but failed to find the target.