Al Jazira pip Al Ain, inch closer to league crown
abu dhabi — Al Jazira’s wait for another League crown hung heavily on this game and star striker Ali Mabkhout scored a brace against Al Ain to ensure a 2-0 win in the Round 21 of the Arabian Gulf League at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium on Wednesday night.
“The dream is still alive. We are getting closer,” Al Jazira coach Henk ten Cate said after the victory. “There are still five games to go and we have to take it one game at a time. There’s still 15 points at stake and we need another nine.”
Ten Cate admitted they had just played the ‘best football team’ in the League. And Al Jazira had one big factor siding them to beat the best — luck. Al Ain players failed to convert from hordes of shots. Big game specialists Caio Lucas and Omar Abdulrahman missed chances in heaps, at times, even when the goal was barren with keeper Ali Khasif out of position. Danilo Asprilla was pacey but failed with his finishes. Skipper Omar was left frustrated with the manner in which opportunities went begging.
The home team lurched back as Mabkhout and Mbark Boussoufa started the goal hunt. The duo was menacing on counter attacks and had some beautiful one-touch passes. It was an entertaining first half of attacking football and the only thing missing being goals. The atmosphere was electrifying with faithful out in their thousands.
Right after the break, Omar failed to find direction with his volley inside the box. Later, defender Rashed Muhayer tested Al Jazira keeper with a long-ranger.
Al Jazira sat back for most part and when they shifted gears, Ismail Ahmed & Co checked them.
At the stroke of an hour, Asprilla needlessly collected a yellow card after pinning down Salem Rashid Obaid. Soon the Colombian was substituted with Ibrahim Diaky. Minutes after being on the field, Diaky too failed to find the target when presented with a sharp opportunity in front of the goal.
And against the run of play, Mabkhout scored with his pink boot. It was Boussoufa, who delivered a cross from the right that was headed back by substitute Ailton Almeida for Mabkhout to shove it into the goal. The closing stages saw Al Ain desperately looking for an equaliser and Ismail Ahmed could find only the woodwork with an attempt. Al Ain pushed forward and just then Al Jazira added one more goal as substitute Khalfan Mubarak found Mabkhout, who blasted in his 26th of the season as Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium erupted and celebrations started. Ainawi, though, were rooted onto their seats long after the match.
Al Jazira have extended their lead over Al Ahli to six points and renewed hopes of becoming UAE’s representatives in the Fifa Club World Cup UAE 2017. “We don’t have the best players but I think we have the best team. It was a difficult game and the team showed right spirit – they fought,” Ten Cate said.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com