Abu Dhabi: Al Ain’s January signing Brazilian Douglas, roped in to fill in the void left by Emmanuel Emenike, may have failed to make an impact for the team in the Asian Champions League - but he showed signs of regaining top form on Sunday.
Douglas scored a hat-trick to put Al Ain’s Arabian Gulf League campaign back on track with a 3-1 win over Al Jazira, the crucial triumph coming after their 2-1 reverse to Al Shabab that saw them surrender top spot to Al Ahli.
The man from the land of Samba opened the scoring for Al Ain through a penalty. However, it was the second goal that would have given a lot of hope and assurance for the Al Ain coach Zlatko Dalic and their fans. Douglas showed the deftest of touches, before finding the back of the net with a strike on the turn.
His hat-trick was completed after slotting home a pin-point diagonal cross from the left by playmaker Omar Abdul Rahman on the run. Al Ain’s assistant coach Hesham Surour hailed the team’s performance saying that the team needed a big performance - and came up with one.
“Congratulations for our team, it was a big performance. At half-time we said this is it, we need the win, especially because there’s a big race between us and Al Ahli. We can’t go home with one point,” said Surour, adding that the team were better in the second half.
“We went more attacking, stretched the game, which worked. Thankfully we go home with the three points,” added Surour, who felt that the victory would do a world of good for the team.
“The win has made sure that the confidence is restored not just for the team but Douglas as well. It’s a great three points, a great win and great to get back the belief.”
For Al Jazira coach Henk ten Cate, the contest at home was always going to be a test as he was without several players – eight to be precise, due to suspension and injury. The Dutchman’s scant reward for the night was a goal from Ali Mabkhout, which kept them in the match until half-time.
A dejected looking Ten Cate said later: “First of all, I had to make a team, which was not so easy with so many players out. I think we were a little unlucky today.”
The coach felt that there were four crucial moments that went against his side and decided the game. “I cannot blame my team for anything, the spirit and fight was there. It was a deserved win for Al Ain, they were the better team. But I’m sure if we play Al Ain with a complete team, we would do much better.”
