Dubai: Al Ain maintained sole leadership while defending champions Al Ahli managed full points in early action in the 20th round of the Arabian Gulf League (AGL) on Sunday.

In Ras Al Khaimah, Al Ain continued their dominance at the top with a well-fought 5-1 thrashing of Emirates Club. Down to a first minute goal from Mohammad Mallalah Hassan, Al Ain leveled in the fifth minute through Rashid Eisa and then got goals from Esmail Ahmad (21st minute), Ebrahim Diakhy (46th), a second from Rashid Eisa (70th) and an injury time strike from Mohammad Ahmad to secure full points.

With six rounds still left until the end of the league, Al Ain are comfortably ahead of the chasing pack with 46 points. Al Shabab are in second with 40, while Al Jazira have a chance of occupying second if they can win all three points against Al Nasr in Sunday’s late night derby.

In Dubai, defending champions Al Ahli struggled for their three points to displace Al Wasl in sixth place following an uninspiring 1-0 win over ten-man Al Dhafra.

Oussama Assaidi struck in the very second minute of the match as the former Liverpool man weaved his way in from the left and curled in past Abdullah Sultan from the edge of the area.

In a match that should have been won more comfortably by the home side, it was Al Dhafra goalkeeper Abdullah Sultan who gave a good account of himself despite letting in an early goal.

Habib Fardan could have doubled the score on the 18th minute when he got a good look at the goal, but his shot whizzed over. Everton Ribeiro should have made it 2-0 in the 22nd minute when he had just Sultan to beat on the visitor’s goal, but the Brazilian tried to be cute with a dainty chip that went straight into the goalkeeper’s hands.

Attacking with more purpose, Sultan came to the rescue of Al Dhafra on at least two clear occasions. In the 63rd minute, Sultan foiled Abdul Aziz Haikal and two minutes later, he kept a clear header from Salmeen Khamis.

However, Al Dhafra were reduced to ten in the 68th minute when referee Fahad Banihammad gave a straight red to Sultan for felling Ahmad Khalil just outside the box.

Down by a man, the visitors tried their best to stay in the game with an outside chance for an equalizer from quick counters, but Al Ahli defence stood strong till then end.

Results

Emirates 1 Al Ain 5, Al Ahli 1 Al Dhafra 1