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Al Ain come out on top in Etisalat Pro League’s ‘Clasico’ against Al Jazira

The most highly anticipated game in Round 18 of the Etisalat Pro League saw the top two teams go head to head, and it was League leaders Al Ain who reopened the gap at the summit with a late 1-0 win over Al Jazira. Al Ain, with a tally of 43 points, have a six-point advantage over their closest chasers, although the identity of the team in hottest pursuit has changed; Bani Yas now take second spot with 37 points, swapping places with Al Jazira, who remain on 34 points and slip to third.

Kicking off at 8:15pm in front of a packed crowd at the Tahnoun bin Mohamed Stadium, the home side went in search of an early goal to settle their nerves, but it was Al Jazira who went closest to taking a quick lead when a defensive error allowed Ricardo Oliveira to find himself in a dangerous position, but his cross from a tight angle rolled across the face of goal and there was nobody from his Abu Dhabi-based side to convert the chance. Both teams played cautiously in a cagey affair, as the two sides felt each other out and were wary of conceding. Al Ain controlled the first half in terms of possession, and Asamoah Gyan had two of the best chances in the opening 45, but both his efforts were quashed by Al Jazira goalkeeper Ali Khaseif, and the first half finished in a scoreless draw.

The second half began in a similar fashion; a tentative tactical game by both teams. Both Al Ain and Al Jazira carved out chances, with Asamoah Gyan missing an opportunity presented by Alex Brosque’s headed pass in the 56th minute, and Oliveira calling Al Ain goalkeeper Dawoud Sulaiman into action two minutes later. Al Jazira’s new Spanish coach Luis Milla made his first change in the 62nd minute, introducing Ali Mabkhout in place of Diaky as he sought his debut League win as Al Jazira boss. But the visitors’ substitutions did not make the impact the Spaniard might have hoped, as Al Ain were handed the perfect opportunity to take the lead with the award of a penalty in the 79th minute. The irrepressible Omar Abdulrahman displayed great skill down the left before his brother Mohamed Abdulrahman was felled in the area by Al Jazira’s Jumaa Abdulla. Ghanaian striker Asamoah Gyan stepped up to take the spot kick, which he coolly dispatched to the ‘keeper’s left before breaking into his trademark dancing celebration with jubilant teammates. The penalty gave Al Ain the lead, and kept Gyan in first place on the Etisalat Pro League top scorers’ list, with 22 goals for the season. Al Ain retained control and possession for the remaining ten minutes of the match, ensuring they held onto their 1-0 lead and took all three points in the crucial clash at the top of the table.