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Al Nasr 2-1 Al Shaab: Al Fardan nets winner

Al Nasr picked up their first three points of the Arabian Gulf League season with a determined 2-1 win over Al Shaab in Round 2 at the Al Maktoum Stadium. Ibrahima Toure gave the home side the lead before Michael Laurent Ndri squared things up for Al Shaab, but Habib Al Fardan found the winner to seal victory for Al Nasr.

Al Nasr played a fast-passing game from the offing, with captain Habib Al Fardan the catalyst of many promising moves from midfield as he made his return from a muscle strain that kept him out of the opening game of the League season. In the 9th minute Al Fardan set up summer signing Ibrahima Toure with a good shooting chance but the Senegalese striker’s effort was well blocked. In the 14th minute Al Nasr left-back Hassan Ameen found the target with a free kick from distance but there was not enough power in his shot to trouble Mutaz Abdulla in the Al Shaab goal. Al Shaab’s first half forays forward were thwarted by Al Nasr and young goalkeeper Ahmad Shambieh commanded his area strongly when called upon, clearing any danger as the teams went into the dressing rooms goalless at half time.

It only took four minutes for a goal to be scored at the start of the second half, as Hassan Ameen’s left-footed delivery from a free kick on the right was headed home by Toure to give Al Nasr a 49th-minute 1-0 lead. But Al Nasr’s advantage was not long-lasting as 9 minutes later Al Shaab found themselves back on level terms. Right-back Ahmad Eissa provided the pass and French striker Michael Laurent Ndri turned his marker Bader Yaqoot in the box to fire a finish past Shambieh in the Al Nasr goal, making it 1-1 in the 54th minute. Al Nasr were soon to regain their lead, however, as Habib Al Fardan rose highest in the area to head home another Hassan Ameen delivery from a corner. Though Al Shaab did their best to clear Al Fardan’s effort, the ball had crossed the line before it was hacked away and the referee correctly awarded the goal as Al Nasr went 2-1 up in the 62nd minute. Seven minutes later a stunning reflex save from Shambieh kept a certain Al Shaab goal out, as Al Nasr defended their lead resolutely to take all three points from the game.