Al Ain pip 10-man Shabab Al Ahli; Sharjah, Kalba post easy victories
ABU DHABI — Al Ain kept the pressu re on Sharjah at the top of the Arabian Gulf League table after securing a 2-1 home win over Shabab Al Ahli at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium on Saturday.
After a slow start, Al Ain broke the deadlock in the 41st minute, when Hussein El Shahat converted Tsukasa Shiotani’s well played low cross with an accurate first-time strike that found the back of Majed Nasser’s net.
Shabab Al Ahli were reduced to ten men just before the half-time after Hassan Juma was sent off.
In added time of thr first half, Caio Fernandes found Mohamed Abdulrahman near the edge of the box with an accurately crossed freekick. The UAE international’s cleverly volleyed shot crept past Nasser, making it 2-0 into halftime.
Luvannor Henrique pulled one back for Shabab Al Ahli, when his left footed curled freekick went past Al Ain keeper Khalid Eissa, reducing the deficit in the 66th minute.
Following the win, Al Ain occupy the second league spot with 12 points, only goal-difference separating them from leaders Sharjah.
Sharjah, meanwhile, continued their perfect start to the season as they beat Fujairah 3-0 at the Khalid bin Mohammed Stadium.
Welliton Soares’ sixth goal of the campaign gave Abdulaziz Al Anbari’s men the lead after just four minutes.
Ryan Mendes’ cross from the left flank was headed across the mouth of goal by Saif Rashid and the Brazilian stabbed in from close range to open the scoring for Sharjah.
In another match, Ittihad Kalba extended their winning run to three games on the trot as they defeated Al Nasr 3-1 at the Kalba Union Sports and Cultural Club Stadium.