Promoted Ajman surprise Al Nasr for first AGL win
dubai — Promoted Ajman stunned Al Nasr by a solitary goal to notch their first win of the season in the Arabian Gulf League.
Uzbekistan midfielder Azizbek Haydarov pounced on an opportunity just minutes into the game and that turned out to be the winner at the Zabeel Stadium on Friday night.
Ajman, who were winless in four fixtures despite putting in some spirited performances against Al Jazira, Shabab Al Ahli Dubai and Al Ain, finally got moving on the table to jump from the bottom to 10th in the standings.
Meanwhile, Al Nasr suffered their second defeat, with both coming at their temporary home at the Zabeel Stadium.
Al Nasr coach Cesare Prandelli had warned that Ajman could be dangerous and so it proved. Haydarov, formerly with Al Shabab, stole the ball from Tariq Ahmed and galloped through the middle before firing it past shot stopper Ahmed Shambih, on seven minutes.
The Oranges then soaked in the pressure from Al Nasr for the remainder of the game to come away with the victory.
The early goal forced Prandelli into a change with the former Italy coach bringing on the young Jassim Yaqoob for Rashid Mohammad Omar. Then, Salem Saleh was introduced in place of Ahmed Khamis at the start of the second half as Al Nasr tried to a find a way through. Prandelli also tweaked the midfield with Rashed Essa replacing Tariq Ahmed.
But a resolute Ajman defence held the fort at the back to thwart Al Nasr’s challenges.
Al Nasr are away to Al Dhafra at the Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan Stadium next week, while Ajman looking to build on this win, host Emirates.