News Center

Al Ain leave it late but continue title charge with 2-1 win over Al Shabab

Al Ain came from behind to continue their charge towards a consecutive Etisalat Pro League title as they overcame Al Shabab by two goals to one. The reigning champions left it late to secure the victory, but they now sit with 49 points at the top of the table. Al Shabab meanwhile dropped a place to sixth temporarily with 30 points after Al Nasr overtook them with a win against Bani Yas tonight.

Al Ain had to make do without many of their first-choice stars, as Omar Abdulrahman, Asamoah Gyan, Hilal Saeed and Matei Mirei Radoi all missed out due to injury, whilst Jires Kembo-Ekoko served his one-match suspension for picking up three yellow cards. The first half was a relatively quiet contest, with Al Shabab failing to register a single shot on target, whilst Al Ain only had three attempts of note. In the 15th minute Ali Al Wehaibi fired just wide of the right post, and a few seconds later Australian striker Alex Brosque almost found a way through as his chance was parried by the goalkeeper before hitting the post and rebounding out to safety. Mohamed Abdulrahman worked the goalkeeper in the 37th minute but his shot was not strong enough to cause any real danger.

The second half got off to an unexpected start as Al Shabab, who had shown no threat in the first half, took a shock lead in the 50th minute. The Brazilian Ciel whipped a cross in from the right and his compatriot Luiz Alves got his head to it to put Al Shabab 1-0 up at the Tahnoun bin Mohamed Stadium. Seven minutes later Al Ain nearly pulled back level as a game of head-tennis ensued in the box, with several Al Ain players attempting to guide the ball goalwards before Edgar Bruno eventually cleared off the line for Al Shabab. It took until the 78th minute for the home side to get back on level pegging as Alex Brosque confidently converted a penalty, striking the ball into the roof of the net to make it 1-1 after Mohamed Abdulrahman’s shot was handled in the box by Eisa Mohamed, who was sent off for his troubles. Four minutes later 18-year-old Yousef Ahmad slotted home with a composed finish to secure a 2-1 win for Al Ain in the 82nd minute.