Al Shabab consolidate fourth position in league

Dubai: “Sanchez Flores Quique, we trust you and want you to stay” said a banner at the Rashid Stadium.

The Spanish coach who took over from Ivan Hasek at the end of last year failed to deliver yet again as visiting Al Shabab rode on Welker Almeida’s [Kieza] first goal for his new club to help themselves to a 3-2 win against Al Ahli in the Deira derby in the 14th round of the etisalat pro league on Monday night.

After last week’s 1-2 shock loss to lowly Emirates Club in Ras Al Khaimah there was no indication of pressure on the former Atletico Madrid coach as his Red Devils valiantly tried to fulfill expectations and along with it a position at the higher end of the standings.

The full points helped Al Shabab consolidate their fourth position with 24 points with no threat to current leaders Al Ain (30 points) and Al Nasr and Al Jazira with 27 and 26 points respectively.

Cautious note

The match started on a cautious note and it was Achille Edzimbi Emana who had the first good look on the Al Shabab goal in the 14th minute, but he toed far too wide from the framework. Ten minutes later at the other end new recruit Welker Almeida [Kieza] managed to shield his marker and probe but his effort narrowly missed the Al Ahli goal.

Al Shabab took the lead a minute from the half hour mark when Ciel converted from the spot after Walid Abbas had been felled inside the box by Badr Abdul Rahman.

Al Ahli nearly drew level in the 33rd after Grafite accepted a through ball from Achille Edzimbi Emana and managed to place past as onrushing Esmail Rabea, only to see Walid Abbas bring off a goalline save.

Equaliser

The home team got their equaliser in the 37th when Emana’s snap shot from well outside the box swirled into the corner of the net past Essam Dhahi and Rabea. Kieza nearly put the visitors in the very next minute but Obaid Al Tawillah brought off a fine reflex save.

Walid Abbas handed the lead to Al Shabab as he stayed unmarked to jab in following a corner in the 39th minute. But Al Ahli was rewarded for their hard work during first half injury time when Grafite converted from the spot following a debatable foul awarded by referee Mohammad Abdul Karim Al Zarouni after defender Adel Abdullah had nudged the ball out of play.

After a series of listless forways in the second half, Kieza – who came in place of Julio Cesar during last month’s transfer window – got the match-winner in the 74th minute when he dived in to connect a pin-point cross from Ciel.