Al Shaab drop vital points in title race against Al Ahli

Dubai: Al Shaab missed a good chance to top the Etisalat first division league after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Al Ahli at Khalid Bin Mohammad stadium in Sharjah yesterday.

Al Shaab, competing for the title, raised their points tally to 24, one point less than Al Shabab who can widen the gap to four points if they beat Hatta at home today. The home team played with ten men in the last six minutes after the referee issued marching orders to Tamir Mohammad for his second bookable offence.

Al Ahli stay in fifth with 18 points. Brazilian midfielder Clederson Cezar opened the scoring for Al Ahli just four minutes after kick off, benefiting from an error by the Al Shaab defence.

Equaliser

Cezar fired from close range a left footer to the left of Ramadan Mal Allah, the Al Shaab custodian. Al Shaab attacked through the two Iranians, Ali Samerah and Mehrzad Maadanchi ,who created danger against the Al Ahli defence. They succeeded in scoring the equaliser when Maadanchi crossed from the left and Samerah's swift header beat Obaid Taweela to his right.

Al Ahli were the better side in the second half, but missed several sitters through Ahmad Khalil, Cezar and Midawdi before he was replaced by Surour. Al Shaab also wasted a good chance four minutes from time in front of the Al Ahli goal.

Emirates club caused a big upset by beating Al Wahda in Abu Dhabi 3-1.