Dubai: Former 12-time champions Al Ain fought back from a two-goal deficit to quell debutants Ajman 3-2 and climb to the top of the standings, while Al Nasr banked on late second half strikes to pick up full points with a 3-1 result against visiting Dibba in early fourth round action of the Arabian Gulf League (AGL) on Saturday.
Ajman scored two quick goals for a comfortable early lead and the hope of a first-ever AGL victory in nearly three years of playing in the premier competition. Their last win had come way back in December 2014 after they had got the better of Emirates Club 2-0 in Round 12 of the 2014-’15 season.
But that bit of personal triumph for Egyptian coach Ayman Al Ramadi had to wait as Al Ain responded with quick goals through Tsukasa Shiotani and a brace from Dyanfrez Douglas to avoid early embarrassment at the hands of a debuting side.
Adeilson De Melo opened the scoring in the ninth minute when he lent a final touch to a fierce run from Bakary Kone to give Ajman the lead. And then the home team got a second chance to celebrate when Abdullah Malallah’s swirling strike deflected off a defender and dipped in over goalkeeper Khalid Eisa in the 20th minute.
Playing without their inspirational captain Omar Abdul Rahman and playmaker Ebrahim Diakhy, Al Ain tried to make a comeback but found the home team defence a tough nut to crack. However, it was the Japanese Shiotani who pulled one back in the 66th minute, and less than a minute later Douglas found the home team goal to draw level. The Brazilian scored a second time with a lovely header in the 82nd minute to ensure full points and a place at the top of the 12-team standings.
The Dubai encounter, meanwhile, proved to be a lack-lustre affair with Dibba showing a lot of guts while matching the fancied Al Nasr through a major part of the match. And despite enjoying a major share of the exchanges, the home team found it increasingly difficult to get past a plucky Dibba defence.
However, it was Barrada who finally settled jittery home team merves when his long-range effort from nearly 30 metres went into the top corner of the net in the 68th minute of play. Substitute Salem Saleh made it 2-0 with an easy tap-in on the 79th minute and Barrada ensured full points with a stiff grounder to the left of goalkeeper Fahad Mohammad three minutes from the final whistle.
However, the home side let their guard down and paid for it when substitute Ahmad Ebrahim pulled one back deep into injury period.
RESULTS
Ajman 2 Al Ain 3
Al Nasr 3 Dibba 1
