Al Ain win ‘Al Clasico’ in style against Shabab Al Ahli Dubai
dubai — It was UAE football’s ‘Al Clasico’ and it sure lived up to its moniker. Drama was never in short supply and it was a game befitting of a derby.
There was a sending off, an injury, tactical nous of two top quality coaches and of course, goals. And at the end of it, Al Ain earned the bragging rights from this one after getting one over their fierce rivals Shabab Al Ahli Dubai.
The record champions won 2-1 late on Friday night at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain, for their second victory in the Arabian Gulf League, a result that pushed The Boss to second on the table.
And despite having the likes of Caio, Douglas and Marcus Berg, it was their defenders who did it for them on the night through Mohanad Salem and Japanese centre back Tsukasa Shiotani, the latter scoring the winner after Makhete Diop had cancelled out Salem’s effort.
Senegalese frontman Diop edged clear to be the top goalscorer with five goals so far but that was of little consolation as Shabab Al Ahli Dubai suffered their first defeat in their present form after the merger.
An inkling of what was to unfold for Cosmin Olaroiu’s men had perhaps come before kick-off when their first choice goalkeeper Majed Naser pulled up injured during warm-up.
Shabab Al Ahli Dubai’s troubles didn’t end there. After Mohanad Salem, wearing the captain’s armband in Omar Abdulrahman’s absence, had headed home Caio’s curling corner in added time in the first half, the Dubai club suffered another jolt when stand-in shot stopper Saif Yousuf was given a straight red by referee Ammar Al Jneibi.
Olaroiu was forced to make a change with the Romanian having to sacrifice defender Abdulaziz Sanqour and call on third choice goalkeeper Hassan Hamza from the bench.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Shabab Al Ahli Dubai tried to make a fist of it and were successful with Diop heading in the equaliser following a cross from Manei Mohamed Ali from the left.
A stalemate seemed most likely but Shiotani embarked on a fine solo down the left before unleashing a screamer past Hassan Hamza.
james@khaleejtimes.com