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Ajman defeat Al Ahli 2-1 to retain leadership of third group

Ajman picked up three valuable points to raise their tally to 6 points on top of Group “C” after beating defending Champions Al Ahli 2-1 who remain with only one point in the Etisalat Cup third round match held this evening at Rashid Stadium in Al Ahli Club. Despite of the balanced performance in the opening minutes, but the hosts Al Ahli came afterwards to dominate the game and their first choice striker Ahmed Khalil lost an early chance when he past two defenders, faced the Ajman’s goalkeeper Yousuf Abdullah and hooked the ball into the empty net but for his bad fortune it rebounded off the upright before being cleared by a defender only 8 minutes into play. Al Ahli went on controlling the game and their Chilean player Louis Jimenez compensated for Khalil’s squandered opportunity when he received a pass inside the box and did not hesitate to lunch a left footer giving his side a 1-0 lead in the 19th minute. Ahmed Khalil squandered another sitter six minutes later when he was sent free, but the keeper saved bravely. Al Ahli pressed hard creating a number of scoring chances and they came close to increase their tally in many occasions but could not make it. The same upright deprived the hapless Ahmed Khalil from scoring off a severe shot 6 minutes before the break to end the first half with a lone – goal lead for the home team.

The level of performance of both teams dropped down in the beginning of the second session as they failed to create real chances and demonstrate a convincing display.

Ajman tried their best exerting more efforts seeking for the equalizer and their efforts were soon paid dividends when Ali Khamis collected the ball and ran down the right flank, sending a cross pass to Founeke Sy from Mali who drove the ball home bringing the game into parity in the 78th minute. Poris Kabi was to net the winner two minutes later but his shot passed just beyond the post. But Poris came to score the winner five minutes before the final whistle capitalizing on Shihab Ahmed’s pass to help his team sign off a 2-1 win.

In another match in the Second Group, Al Dhafra got the better of Ittihad Kalba beating them with a lone goal in the game played at the winners’ Stadium tonight. Bandar Al Ahbabi Scored th all-important goal of the match in the 70 the minute to raise the tally of his team to 6 points to lead Group “B” while Kalba are yet to open their account.