Al Ahli run riot against Dibba

DUBAI — Defending champions Al Ahli made it three wins from three and move to third on the table with a commanding win over Dibba in the Arabian Gulf League.

Goals from Ismail Al Hammadi, Asamoah Gyan, Kyung Kwon and Rodrigo Lima gave the Red Knights a 4-1 victory at their fortress, the Rashid Stadium, on Saturday night.

The win pushed Cosmin Olaroiu’s men to third in the standings with nine points. They are level on points with Al Wasl but have played a game less, owing to other commitments.

Al Ahli had plenty of chances in the opening half but they lacked the finishing touch in the final third. The Red Knights laid siege at the Dibba goal but nothing came off it as the visitors managed to hold on. Al Ahli’s attacking playmaker Everton Ribeiro came up with a wayward volley on six minutes after which Dibba had their only opportunity of the half.

Danilo and Al Ahli and UAE first choice goalkeeper Majed Nasr went airborne after a dangerous ball from the middle but the latter managed to avert the danger.

Salmin Khamis came close twice for Al Ahli but the defender couldn’t make it count.

First, his low header aimed at the far post was palmed away by goalkeeper Fahd Mohamed on nine minutes.

Then, later on 20 minutes, Salmin’s header after a throw-in, just whizzed past the left post.

Dibba goalkeeper Fahd Mohamed was called into action yet again and he did well to keep put Eisa Santo’s diving header.

But Al Ahli were to be rewarded for their efforts, with Ismail Al Hammadi capitalising on a defensive lapse by Omar Ahmed to give them the lead, in the first minute of stoppage time in the first half.

But that lead was to be short lived as midfielder Khalifa Salem nullified that two minutes after the restart.

But then, the Red Knights had a lot left in the tank and they broke loose after the hour to wallop Dibba. Asamoah Gyan scored with a clever back heel after Abdulaziz Sanqour had sent in a neat floater from the left, on 61 minutes.

Three minutes later, an unmarked Kyung Kwon coolly slotted home a corner after which Rodrigo Lima made it 4-1 on 69 minutes with a brilliant freekick, which had left goalkeeper Fahd Mohamed unmoved.

Goals

AL AHLI 4

> Goals: Ismail Al Hammadi 45+1, Asamoah Gyan 61, Kyung Kwon 64, Rodrigo Lima 69

DIBBA 1

> Goal: Khalifa Salem 47

— Photo by Dhes Handumon Al Ahli’s Rodrigo Lima vies for the ball against Dibba’s Omar Ahmed and Ibrahim Abdullah during the AGL match in Dubai on Saturday.