Dubai: Al Ahli opened their points account in the Arabian Gulf Cup with a convincing 5-1 win against arch-rivals Al Ain under hot and humid conditions late on Wednesday.
Al Ahli, who had opened with a solitary goal loss to cross-city club Al Nasr last week, looked much sharper and it was their Brazilian striker Rodrigo Lima giving them the lead as early as the fourth minute. UAE national team discard Habib Al Fardan doubled the score three minutes from half-time, while Waleed Hussain – who has come through the junior ranks of the club – crashed in a third to put the issue beyond doubt in the 69th minute.
Ghanain skipper Asamoah Gyan, snatched at the last minute from Chinese side Shanghai SPIC only last week, made his debut with Al Ahli in the 73rd minute. It took him just six minutes to get his name on his new employer’s scoresheet when he gratefully slipped in a Ribeiro pass. Gyan repaid the favour two minutes from the end and the dimunitive Brazilian coolly placed past Mohammad Al Mas on the Al Ain goal to make it 5-0.
Hard-working winger Caio Lucas finally brought in some sense of respectability to the scoreline when he ran down the flank to slam home a pass from Asprilla well into full-time injury period to complete one of the worst drubbings in the history of The Boss.
With rising levels of humidity playing a major role it was always going to be tough and demanding on players from either side. But it was the home team adapting quicker. And with Lima giving the Red Knights the early lead with his 12th goal for the Dubai side – and the first of this season – it was always going to be an uphill battle for Al Ain.
The visitors’ defence looked too porous and this was exploited time and again by Al Ahli playmaker Everton Ribeiro with his body feints and quick darts through the middle. The standout effort for the home side was their defence as they gave the star-studded Al Ain frontline of Dyanfres Douglas Chagas Matos and Danilo Asprilla very little room to have a clear sight on goal.
Al Ain coach Zlatko Dalic brought in former national team striker Saeed Al Katheri, but that made very little difference as the home defence stood tall. And when one of the strikers did manage to slip past the defence it was the experienced Majid Nasser who averted any casualty till the injury time goal from Caio Lucas.
Result:
Al Ahli x Al Ain 5-1
