President's Cup: Ajman, Al Ahli ease into quarter-finals

Dubai: Al Ahli and Ajman secured hard-fought wins against relegated Kalba and fancied Al Jazira respectively to ease into the quarter-finals of the President’s Cup on Thursday.

Despite dominating the visitors for prolonged periods, Al Ahli had to wait for the opening quarter of the second half to score both their goals and book their place in the last eight. Kalba secured a consolation goal through Papa Waigo in injury time.

The Red Knights will now take on the winner of Friday’s match between Al Wasl and Bani Yas.

In the second late match, Ajman fought back with their backs against the wall to dump out fancied Al Jazira 3-2.

After trailing the club from the capital 2-1, Boris Kaabi equalised in the 71st minute and then Driss Fettouhi guided in a measured free kick deep into injury time to help Ajman make their way into the quarters.

Fielding an under-par side with his eyes on next week’s Asian Champions League, Cosmin Olaroiu’s team took complete control of proceedings from the start.

But a sturdy Kalba defence frustrated them time and again as the first half ended goalless.

The first real chance for the Red Knights came in the 22nd minute when skipper Ahmad Khalil played in Esmail Al Hammadi only to see the playmaker volley wide with only goalkeeper Saif Rashid to beat.

Once again it was Khalil in on the visitor’s goal in the 38th minute after a pass from Oussama Assaidi, but the UAE striker’s miscued shot crashed against the woodwork and Kalba escaped a second time.

Al Ahli continued with their momentum in the second half and were rewarded within six minutes when Assaidi curled in an Al Hammadi miscued shot past the Kalba goalkeeper.

Seven minutes later Assaidi could have doubled the lead, but for an alert Kalba goalkeeper.

However, off the very next move it was Khalil who put the issue beyond doubt when he nodded in an Everton Ribeiro corner.

The home team then resorted to possession play and should have been rewarded with at least two more goals, but for an alert defence.

The visitors finally managed to pull one back into full-time injury period when Papa Waigo hoodwinked his marker and placed past Majid Nasser.

Results

Al Ahli 2 Kalba 1
Al Jazira 2 Ajman 3