Dubai: Al Ahli were content not just with the win but the manner in which they dismantled the mighty Al Jazira in their ninth round encounter of the Arabian Gulf League (AGL) late on Monday.
On level terms 1-1 at the end of the first half, the Red Knights scored two quick goals early in the second and then added a late third to dumpy mighty Al Jazira, the pride of Abu Dhabi 4-1.
Rodrigo Lima opened the score for the home side from the penalty spot in the 22nd minute, while Al Jazira got an equaliser three minutes from the half-time whistle when Khamis Esmail curled in a lovely free kick.
Al Ahli scored two goals within nine minutes — Walid Abbas deftly lobbing a dainty chip from Ribeiro in the 48th minute and Al Hammadi unleasing a stinging drive in the 57th — to quell the Al Jazira challenge. Everton Ribeiro then completed the scoring from a narrow angle after being put through by Majid Hassan in the 78th minute.
Despite Al Ahli’s clean record of seven wins from seven, it is Al Ain who are at the top of the standings with 22 points following seven wins, a draw and a loss after nine rounds of the AGL. The Red Knights, however, are the only side in the league so far with an unbeaten streak for a maximum 21 points with two matches less. Al Nasr continue in third with 18 points, while neighbours Al Wasl are in fourth with 15 points.
Al Ahli next face leaders and defending champions Al Ain in their next match on December 5, and the Red Knights coach Cosmin Olaroiu thought Monday’s match was just the preparation needed.
“I think we played one of our best games of this season. We were good in all departments — in attack, in defence and in creating chances. That is how we missed so many chances. But sometimes this is what happens in football. You do everything right, but just don’t find the goal. The good thing is that we didn’t lose confidence. We kept the game in our hands and we dictated and then the second half we managed to everything well all over again,” Olaroiu told media at the post-match conference.
“If you ask me, the score is not an actual indicator of what happened out there. In my opinion the difference was much bigger. I think this is the perfect preparation for our match against Al Ain,” he added.
Al Jazira coach Abel Braga refused to give up. He insisted that the team is in their re-building process. “Such results are going to happen. That does not mean we stop our work. We were playing the second best team in Asia, but there are positives that we can take from this match,” Braga said.
“We are not going through our best phase as a team. And it is not that we are not working on the various areas that need attention. We are in a re-building process and we will need some time to get through this moment. Till then, we will continue our philosophy and stay positive,” the Brazilian added.
Positives: we conceded a goal in the first 15 mins and we responded well. After that we focused. This shows the personality of the players. The result was bad but the comeback was the positive we can take.
