Coach Schaefer sacked after Al Ahli's string of losses

Dubai: German coach Winfried Schaefer paid the price for the defending champions' string of losses when he was sacked by Al Ahli yesterday.

Schaefer, who led Al Ahli to win the league title for the first time in 25 years last season, lost seven out of 11 in the first round of the Etisalat League, which concluded on Sunday.

Al Ahli lost their last league match 2-0 at Sharjah on Sunday, their fifth defeat in a row. This is the first time such a poor result was achieved in the history of the club.

The defending champions are trailing in the eighth place with 12 points, not far away from the relegation zone.

Al Ahli have named Moroccan Rasheed Bin Mahmoud, Schaefer's assistant coach and a former player of the club, as caretaker coach until the appointment of a new coach, which is expected in the next few days.

First defeat

Bin Mahmoud will lead Al Ahli in their President's Cup quarterfinals against Al Jazira on Friday.

Al Shaab lost their top place in the Etisalat First Division League after they suffered their first defeat at home. Al Jazira won the match 3-1. The defeat dropped Al Shaab to the third place with 22 points.

Al Wahda leapfrogged to second place after a hard-fought 2-1 win over Al Nasr. Esmail Mattar scored the winner from the spot to put Al Wahda on top.

Though Al Wahda and Al Wasl have same points (23), the latter is in the lead on better goal difference.

Al Wasl, who have not lost a match in the league so far, maintained their clean slate after sneaking though to a draw against Dubai club.

Eisa Ali scored the equaliser for Al Wasl in the last minute, dashing the hopes of Dubai club, who led 1-0 for most of the match.

Fujairah club, who have lost eight successive matches, failed to keep their 1-0 lead against Al Ain. Iraqi striker Hawar Mulla levelled for Al Ain in the third minute of injury time.

Sharjah revived hopes of winning the title after beating Al Ahli 2-0. They are fourth with 19 points, four behind the leaders.