Al Shabab defeat Dubai club to score first win - Daei Scored

Gulf News - Al Shabab scored their first win in the football league by defeating Dubai club 2-1 in the last match of round one at Maktoum bin Rashid stadium yesterday.

The win was a good start for the club's new board of directors appointed yesterday chaired by the club founder Dr. Ahmed Saif Balhasa who attended the match with other board members.

The Al Shabab supporters were delighted with the first victory which they waited for it 11 matches where they lost seven times and drew in three.

With the win Al Shabab advanced one step in the standings with six points while Dubai club stayed seventh with 12 points.

Dubai club failed to win last seven matches. They lost four and drew in three matches. Al Shabab's German coach Rainer Holleman was very happy with the first win. "We played well especially in the second half. We could have won by six goals. Walid lost a penalty kick and Minavand, Salim Saad and Abdul Rahman Fadel also lost scoring chances," said Holleman. He added that he need 14 points more to stay in the First division. "There are 11 matches left in the second round. If we reach 20 points, then we are safe and wouldn't be relegated."

Chilean striker Cristian Montecinos opened the score for Dubai after six minutes from kick off through a direct free kick from 20 meters.

Al Shabab dominated most of the play. Iranian midfielder Mehrdad Minavand did a good job. Also Adel Abdullah and Jumaa Ahmed did their midfield defensive role perfectly.

Dubai defended their 1-0 lead despite Al Shabab attacking through Walid Obaid and Ali Daei who broke through the Dubai club penalty area several times, but lacked the final touch.

After resumption, it took 13 minutes for Al Shabab to score the equaliser. The Dubai defence marked them closely and goalkeeper Obaid Tawila caught all the high balls crossed from the flanks.

Walid Obaid was brought down by Dubai defender Abdullah Thani and referee Farid Ali pointed to the spot without hesitation. Walid himself converted the spot kick sending the keeper the wrong direction in 58th minute.

After five minutes Minavand lost a golden chance to score the second goal when Walid crossed to him infront of an open Dubai goal. The Iranian midfielder couldn't capitalise, he fell down and Dubai defenders cleared it away.

Walid also lost a penalty kick in 69th minute when Omer Rashid brought him down. Walid missed target this time and his shot went just near the post. Al Shabab continued creating pressure against Dubai penalty area with Ali Daei scoring the winner in 72nd minute. Daei fired a cracker from 25 meters which gave Tawila no chance under the Dubai bar.

Dubai club attacks lacked sharpness infront of the Al Shabab goal. Ibrahim Hubaita, Salah Yousuf and Khamis Jaafar kept Dubai dangerous strikers Cristian and Kabouka at bay and kept their narrow lead unrtil the final whistle despite Cristian's attempt one minute before the end when his shot from close range went near the upright.

Al Shabab could have finished the match 4-1 had not Salim Saad who came as substitute in the second session lost a chance in injury time to add the third when he was put through by Daei. He couldn't go past the keeper who blocked his way. Abdul Rahman Fadhel lobbed the ball above Tawila after he was completely beaten. The ball was cleared by a Dubai defender in the last moment before it crossed the goalline.

In the second match played at Khalid bin Mohammed stadium in Sharjah, Al Shaab defeated Dhafra 4-2. Al Shaab defender Omran Al Jassmy scored the fastest goal this season in the first minute. After three minutes Dain Faei levelled for Dhafra. Abdul Rahman Ibrahim added the second goal for Al Shaab and Mohammed Suroor made it 3-1 from the spot. Abdul Rahim Choclate hit the fourth goal one minute before the break. Abdul Hakim Balhoon scored Dhafra second five minutes before the end. Al Shaab stayed fifth with 21 point while Dhafra dropped to the last place with six points.