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Al Ahli 3 Al Shabab 2
Dubai Club 2 Al Wahda 3
Gulf News - Al Ahli the President's Cup champions began their campaign in
the First Division Football League on a winning note when they outclassed
neighbours Al Shabab 3-2 at Rashid Stadium yesterday.
The match was a good start for both teams in the league, Al Ahli also
benefited from the match as a final rehearsal before leaving to Saudi
Arabia to play in the Asian Champions league against Al Ahli in Jeddah on
October 23, Al Ahli Dubai won the first leg match at home 3-2.
The match was a tough confrontation between Iranian national team
giants, Ali Daei and Mehrdad Minavand in Al Shabab while Ali Karimi was
leading Al Ahli's swift attacks.
The game was full of action, tense and rough tackles with the referee
flashing his yellow card seven times. Ali Daei was on his way to
open the score for Al Shabab, but was unlucky to watch his header hit the
cross bar in the ninth minute.
The two teams shared attacks, Karimi responded for Al Ahli in the
18 minute when his shot bounced off Shabab keeper Hasan Sherrif, but Al
Ahli professional Rabie Affawi of Morocco couldn't benefit from the
rebound.
After two minutes, the same player Affawi scored the first for Al Ahli
when he advanced rapidly following a through pass by Hasan Ali, Affawi hit
a quick low shot that beat Sherrif to his left.
Al Shabab attacked through Minavand and Walid Obaid from the
midfield with Ali Daei and Salim Saad at the front. Daei
scored the equaliser for Al Shabab in 31 minute, Walid passed to unmarked
Daei who advanced, shot to the left of Ali Saeed the Al Ahli
custodian.
In the first ten minutes after half time, the match rhythm became slow
with rare attacks on both goals. Al Ahli defender Jasim Akbar lost a good
chance to score in the 56 minute when Karimi crossed to him from
the right, Akbar with the goal open in front of him shot wide.
Karimi scored Al Ahli;s second in the 68th with a fine header.
After three minutes, Al Shabab levelled from the spot when Al Ahli
defender Mashmoom brought down Walid Obaid inside the box, Ali Daei
made no mistake in converting the spot kick to make it 2-2.
Al Shabab was affected by the exit of Walid Obaid injured and Ali Daei
lost the supply which he was getting from Walid. Karimi despite
being marked roughly by Shabab defenders, made several attempts to break
through.
Al Shabab keeper Hasan Sherrif's rough tackle inside the box against A;
Ahli's Affawi cost his team dearly, the referee pointed to the spot
awarding Al Ahli a penalty kick ten minutes before the end, Hasan Ali
scored from the spot sending Sherrif the wrong direction.
Daei and Minavand tried hard to level the score, but time
was ran out and Al Ahli defenders stood rock solid until the final
whistle.
In the second match held at Al Aweer, Al Wahda came from behind to beat
Dubai club 3-2. Dubai led 2-0 with goals scored by Kaboka, 11th minute and
Cristian 61st, until the 64th minute when Haydar Allo Ali scored Al
Wahda's first goal.
After four minutes Brazilian Paolo Sergio who was playing for Bayern
Munich last season, levelled for Al Wahda, and the same player Sergio
scored the winner for Al Wahda in the injury time of the match. |
