Mabkhout nets hat trick as Jazira beat Emirates
SHARJAH — While all the attention was focused on the Al Ain and Fujairah match, at the other end of the emirate in Ras Al Khaimah, Ali Mabkhout was making news with a hat trick as Al Jazira stopped a resurgent Emirates 4-2.
The Pride of Abu Dhabi moved up to seventh on the standings thus improving their chances of making the top four. On the other hand Emirates remain in the bottom four. Jazira were off the blocks with Khalfan Mubarak firing the first salvo in the 18th minute with a top of the box cracker which whizzed past the Emirates goalkeeper.
Mabkhout added to the tally in the 29th to give Jazira a 2-0 cushion at half time.
The UAE national player could have sealed the match immediately on resumption when Jazira earned a penalty and Mabkhout stepped up to take the kick but goalkeeper Ali Saqr dived to his left and parried it away. The miss almost cost them dear as Emirates came roaring back into the match. Alassane Diallo’s towering presence and speed proved too hot for the Jazira defenders to handle and they surrendered on both occasions as the Senegalese put Emirates on par at 2-2. However, Mabkhout scored in the 84th minute from an acute angle to give Jazira a 3-2 lead and sealed the victory in stoppage time with a solo run to end Emirates hopes of at least settling for a draw.
Two red cards in the closing stages only added to Emirates woes.