Mabkhout does the trick as Jazira edge past Shabab Al Ahli in thriller
dubai — Ali Mabkhout got the Arabian Gulf League to a sensational start by firing a hat trick as Al Jazira outmuscled Shabab Al Ahli in a nine-goal thriller on Friday night.
The 27-year-old marksman struck thrice in the space of 10 minutes as the ‘Pride of Abu Dhabi’ knocked off Shabab Al Ahli 5-4 at the Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium.
Dutchman Marcel Keizer won the battle of debutant managers with Chilean Jose Luis Sierra left to wait another week to taste his first victory, albeit in the Arabian Gulf Cup, with the League taking a break owing to FIFA Match Days.
And it was pretty much a goalfest on the night with freshly-minted Arabian Gulf Super Cup champions Al Wahda handing Ittihad Kalba a harsh lesson on their return to the UAE top flight. The Clarets were as colourful as their brand new kit, swamping the promoted Kalba 6-2 at the Zayed Sports City, Al Wahdas fortress in the interim.
The victory put Al Wahda on top of the table followed by Sharjah with Al Wasl in third. Defending champions Al Ain, Al Jazira occupy fourth and fifth. Shabab Al Ahli were up and running even before the spectators could settle down in their seats with their new recruit Ecuadorian Jaime Ayovi making a fine first impression by finding the net past veteran goalkeeper Ali Khaseif following a cross form Henrique Luvannor, in the very first minute.
But Al Jazira responded with their own foreign import, Ernest Asante producing a clever lob over shot stopper Majed Naser after Khalfan Mubarak had put him through on goal on 16 minutes
Shabab Al Ahli retook the lead three minutes later as Argentine midfielder Emiliano Vecchio, on loan from Brazilian club Santos, slotting home after Ayovi had come up with a clever back-heel.
Then, it was Ayovi’s turn to get onto to the scoresheet yet again, the Beijing Renhe arrival slipping it past Khaseif.