Bance scores hat-trick, Al Ahli at the top

Dubai: Aristides Bance scored a hat-trick as Al Ahli hoisted themselves to the top of Group B with a handy 5-2 drubbing of ten-man Sharjah at the end of the second round fixtures in the etisalat Pro Cup played on Friday.

Four of the goals came in the first half itself with the home team all but securing full points. But Sharjah had other plans with Marcelo Oliveira da Silva [Marcelinho] scoring on either side of half-time to keep the visitors afloat with some hope.

With the score reading 3-2 in favour of the home team, referee Al Hamad flashed the red to Sharjah's Esam Al Mansouri for a second offence ten minutes into the second half and it was all but over for the visitors as Al Ahli broke free and Bance added another two to his tally to complete a well-deserved hat-trick.

The result saw the Red Devils go to the top of the six-team standings in Group B with four points while Al Shabab — who were held goalless at home by Ittihad Kalba on Thursday — are also with four points but with an inferior goal difference.

Al Wasl and Ittihad Kalba occupy the next two places with two points apiece, while Al Jazira and Sharjah are the other end of the group with a point each.

After a drab opening quarter, Sharjah had the first call on goal in the 15th minute when skipper Nawaf Mubarak sent his free kick towards goal only to be denied by an alert Obaid Al Tawillah.

Results

• Al Ahli bt Sharjah Club 5-2
• Al Nasr bt Al Dhafrah 1-1