Ailton nets hattrick on first day of AGL; Jazira edge past Ajman
dubai — Romario Da Silva netted a goal on debut with ten minutes left on the clock to help last season’s Arabian Gulf League champions Al Jazira eke out a laboured 2-1 win over newly promoted Ajman at Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
The summer signing Romario also had a hand in the first goal when he latched on to a long pass behind the Ajman defence before squaring for last season’s top goal scorer Ali Mabkhout who was left with a simple finish into the empty net to put Al Jazira ahead in the 16th minute.
Ajman’s Bakary Kone capitalised on a misplaced pass from Al Jazira centre-back Fares Juma to advance and supply a through pass to Waleed Khalid who finished first time between Ali Khaseif ’s feet to bring The Oranges level in the 62nd minutes.
But Romario rescued the Capital club when he took advantage of a mix-up at the heart of the Ajman defence following a Mbark Boussoufa free-kick and finished with his left foot to give Al Jazira an important win to continue their undefeated home run which lasted the whole of last season.
Earlier, Ailton Almeida became the first player to register a hattrick on the opening day of the 2017-18 season but Emirates were held by Al Dhafra in a six-goal thriller at the Emirates Club Stadium in Ras Al Khaima.
Ahmed Malalla put Emirates ahead after 19 minutes after Al Hassan Saleh supplied a cross from the left flank.
Emirates defender Khaled Shamarikh brought down Al Dhafra’s Mohanad Karrar inside the box and the referee awarded a penalty kick for the visitors. Former Al Jazira striker Ailton Almeida converted from the spot to equalise for Al Dhafra in the 39th minute.
The Falcons responded instantly when right back Abdullah Musa accelerated past two Al Dhafra players before finding Al Husain Saleh who crossed from the right flank for new signing Abdelghani Mouaui. The Moroccan’s diving header beat goalkeeper Abdulla Al Nasri in the 41st minute to restore Emirates’ lead.
There was still time for more action before the break, Al Dhafra’s Ibrahim Al Yaqoubi went on a jinking run on the left wing then delivered a cross at the near post for Almeida who headed in his second of the afternoon in added time.
Almeida completed his hattrick in the 72nd minute when former Al Ain player Saeed Al Katheeri laid-off the ball for his attacking teammate on the edge of the box. The Brazilian found space between the crowd to send a low shot to make it 3-2 for the visitors.
Emirates Coach Ivan Hasek introduced Argentinian winger Sebastian Leto for his league debut in the 75th minute and the former Liverpool player needed just three minutes to mark his debut with a goal after he exchanged passes with Saleh then fired low from outside the box into the bottom corner to equalise for the home side.