Dubai: Al Ahli continued with their relentless march at the top of Group A of the 2013 UAE Beach Soccer League with a 5-0 demolition of lowly Dibba Al Hisn in the fifth round of action at Al Mamzar Beach Park at the weekend.
Al Ahli’s win kept them at the top of the standings, while Al Shabab secured a narrow 6-5 victory over Ajman Club to occupy second place in the group.
In Group B, Al Nasr kept their top spot as a late charge gave them a 7-4 win over neighbours Al Wasl, while Ittihad Kalba kept their hopes alive for second spot with an 8-7 win over Fujairah Club.
The results over the weekend throw things into turmoil, especially in Group B, as two teams chase down the lone qualifying spot behind leaders Al Nasr.
Al Ahli maintained their 100 per cent record in this competition as they trounced winless Dibba Al Hisn.
However, the other matches played were close affairs, with Al Shabab riding on a hat-trick from Salah Darqoush, a brace from Mohammad Ali and a lone strike from Saud Yousuf to get past Ajman. Ahmad Bashir and Adham Hassan got a brace each and Hassan Ali scored an owl goal in the Ajman cause, but they just fell short.
The match between Al Wasl and Al Nasr saw honours even at 1-1 at the end of the first period. Al Wasl maintained a narrow 2-1 lead at the end of the second, but Iranian import Mohammad Ahmad struck a well-timed hat-trick and Adel Al Rahi and Ali Karim found the net once each as Al Nasr came through 7-4.
Ittihad Kalba, losers last week against Al Nasr, regained their momentum with an 8-7 win over Fujairah Club. The result now sees Al Wasl, Fujairah and Ittihad stage an intense battle for the second spot with six points apiece.
Next week’s sixth round will determine the second team to join Al Nasr in the semi-finals from Group B, with Ittihad Kalba taking on Al Wasl and Fujairah up against Al Nasr.
Things can still change in Group A as well, as Ajman face a deflated Dibba Al Hisn and Al Shabab take on the star-studded Al Ahli.
