Al Ain returns with a win from Al Dhafra
Al Ain secured today evening a 2-1 away win over Al Dhafra at Hamdan Bin Zayed Playground at Round 9 of the Arabian Gulf League.
After an early lead secured by Adel Hermach of Al Dhafra in 4th minute, the defender Ismail Ahmad levelled for Al Ain FC in 52nd minute before Captain Omar Abdurrahman broke the tie from a penalty kick at 82nd minute giving his side a 2-1 lead.
The win increases Al Ain FC’s tally to 16 points and ranks it fifth; while Al Dhafra drops to 10th place with 10 points.
A Rushing Start
After a high-tempo game by both teams, the host surprised their visiting team with a very early goal at 4th minute when their midfielder Adel Hermach towered and headed a corner kick from Ahmad Ali into Khalid Issa’s net.
Amouri’s Brilliance
Before the kickoff, Omar Abdurrahman was honored by Al Dhafra for being awarded the ‘Asian Footballer of the Year 2016’ Title. H.E Saleh Jathlan Al Mazrouei, Al Dhafra SCC Chairman, presented Omar with a nice bouquet of flowers and the ‘Shield of Excellence’ in the presence of H.E Ghanem Mubarak Al Hajeri, Al Ain FC Chairman.
At 10th minute, Al Ain fans lifted a large sign that read ‘Congratulations to the Maestro of the Arab and Asian Football’ and they chanted his name for a while.
Attacking Attempts
Al Ain pushed forward for an equalizer but their attacks missed the finishing touch; while the hosts launched counterattacks some of which were dangerous.
Omar attempted at goal; he received a fantastic cross from Douglas from inside the box and headed it, but the ball bounced off the post and was cleared by Al Dhafra defenders. Soon, the main referee Issa Khalifa whistled the end of the first half with Al Dhafra leading 1-0.
Al Ain FC’s Comeback
It did not take Al Ain FC a long time to come back when its defender Ismail Ahmad successfully headed a cross from Bandar Al Ahbabi into Al Dhafra net at 52nd minute.
Good luck smiled on Al Ain FC when their captain took advantage of a penalty kick and tipped the balance in their favor at 80th minute.
Al Ain FC 2
Goals Ismail Ahmad, 52”; Omar Abdurrahman, 80”
Lineup Khalid Issa, Saeed Al Menhali, Mohannad Salem Al Enezi, Ismail Ahmad, Bander Al Ahbabi, Ahmad Berman, Lee Myung-Joo, Caio Lucas, Danilo Asprilla, Omar Abdurrahman, Douglas Dyanfres
Substitutions Saeed Al Katheeri, Rashid Issa and Salem Al Azizi came on for Douglas Dyanfres, Danilo Asprilla and Caio Lucas at 61st, 75th and 93rd minutes respectively
Yellow Cards Saeed Al Katheeri, 82”
Red Cards None
Al Dhafra 1
Goals Adel Hermach, 4”
Lineup Ali Hassan Al Amir, Abdurrahman Yousef, Khalid Butti Al Zaabi, Omar Khribin, Abdulla Ali Al Naqbi, Adel Hermach, Hamad Mohamed Al Hammadi, Ahmad Ali Al Ebri, Aburrahim Juma, Issam Al Oudeh, Makhit Diop
Substitutions Ali Abdurrahim Al Hammadi, Mohamed Saeed Al Shehi and Hamad Al Ahbabi replaced Abdurrahim Juma, Ahmad Ali and Khalid Butti at 84th, 85th and 87th minutes respectively
Yellow Cards Issam Al Oudeh, 78”
Red Cards None
Referees
The match was officiated by Issa Khalif with 2 assistants: Rashid Al Nuaimi and Jassem Abdi, in addition to Abdulla Rashid ‘Fourth Official’, Saleh Al Marzouqi ‘Referee Observer’ and Ali Al Shehi ‘Match Commissioner’.
