Dubai: Al Ahli came alive in the second half to put their title defence back on track with a convincing hard-fought 2-1 win over Al Wahda in tenth round action of the Arabian Gulf League (AGL) here late on Saturday.
Slipping down the standings with a defeat followed by two successive draws in their last three encounters, the Red Knights found their winning touch, courtesy a goal each from Esmail Al Hammadi and skipper Ahmad Khalil to pick up full points against the visitors. Sebastian Tagliabue got a consolation goal late into injury period at the end of play.
The win – their fifth from nine matches – took the defending champions into third place with 18 points, still five behind new leaders Al Jazira who had shot to the top of the AGL standings with a 7-3 thrashing of Al Shabab earlier on Saturday.
It was Al Hammadi opening the scoring on the night on the 53rd minute when he outwitted his marker with a slick nudge to a dainty cross from Khalil from inside the box.
Unperturbed, the visitors went in search of an equalizer, only to see their goal fall a second time seven minutes after the hour as Everton Ribeiro picked up his skipper Khalil with a clever pass that saw the UAE national team striker power past Ali Al Hossani.
However, Al Jazira did not give till the very end and were rewarded deep into injury time when Tagliabue sent in a reflex header to the far corner of the net after Al Ahli goalkeeper Majid Nasser had parried off his shot.
In the second late match held on Saturday, Sharjah secured a tight 3-2 away against Emirates Club, Ras Al Khaimah.
RESULTS
Al Ahli x Al Wahda 2-1
Emirates x Sharjah 2-3
Al Shabab x Al Jazira 3-7
