Dubai: Brazilian Rodrigo Lima scored both goals as Al Ahli maintained their cent per cent record so far with a 2-1 win over neighbours and arch-rivals Al Shabab in their eighth round encounter of the Arabian Gulf league (AGL) late on Thursday.

Both goals from Lima came from dead ball situations – the first a well-curled free kick on the half hour mark to cancel out Jo Alves’ 17th minute penalty – and the second from the spot a minute away from the hour.

This was the sixth win for a maximum 18 points for the Red Knights after six matches in the AGL so far. The result also helped Al Ahli leapfrog Al Nasr into second spot behind leaders and defending champions Al Ain, who have 19 points but after eight matches.

The standings, though, may last under 24 hours as the ninth round matches of the AGL are scheduled to be held over the weekend and on Monday.

With pride at stake, the home side started well with a couple of looks goalwards. The rightly took the lead in the 17th minute when referee Fahad Al Hossani pointed to the penalty spot after Hassan Ebrahim was brought down and Jo Alves duly converted to give Al Shabab the lead.

Al Ahli dug in and started finding their rhythm, but not before having a narrow escape on the 26th minute following a swift move from the right flank. Dawood Ali went down and crossed into the area, but Carlos Villanueva left it for Henrique Luvannor whose poke went wide off the target.

The visitors finally found the equalizer in the 30th minute when Lima curled in a superb free kick over the defensive wall and make it 1-1.

Al Ahli returned after the half-time break with renewed vigour and should have gone clear within a couple of minutes but the home goalkeeper Salem Abdullah brought off a reflex save off a Moussa Sow header from close range.

Once again it was Lima who finally gave the visitors the lead from the penalty spot sending Salem Abdullah the wrong way in the 59th minute. The match got a bit scrappy after that, and even though none of the playing eleven received marching orders, it was Al Ahli coach Cosmin Olaroiu and home team manager Obaid Habitha seeing red.

Al Shabab did manage to score a goal ten minutes from the full-time whistle when Alves darted in to connect a Luvannor cross. But the assistant called for off-side.