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Michael's late goal secures a 2-1 win for Dubai over Al Ahli

 

Michael Laurent's last minute and brilliant double kick volley secured a 2-1 victory over Al Ahli in their Etisalat Pro-League Round 17 match played at Dubai Stadium this evening. Al Ahli showed superiority over their hosts giving them hard time. They controlled the game and put more pressure on their rivals' goal after their Brazilian midfielder Binga along with their duo strikers Ahmed Khalil and Ismail Al Hammadi built up a number of attacks, but could not convert. Al Hammadi was the first to score only 14 minutes into play, had not his volley rebounded off the upright before being cleared away by a defender. Hassan Abdul Rahman of Dubai team replied with a strong shot that saved by Al Ahli's goalkeeper Obaid Al Taweela 10 minutes later. The two teams went on their attempts trying to score an early goal, but the hosts were the first to make their dreams come true when the visitors' defender Mohammad Gasim founded Abu Bakr Camara inside the six yard area for a penalty. Hassan Abul Rahman made no mistake to convert the ball into the net giving his side a 1-0 lead in the 29th minute. Al Ahli made some good work after conceding a goal trying to level the score. Their continuous efforts were rewarded when Kareem Al Ahmadi sent a long ball for Ahmad Khalil to jump high heading it perfectly. Khalil's header rebounded off the left upright under his feet and he was again on target slamming the ball into the empty net making it 1-1 four minutes before the break. Abdul Aziz Hussain of Al Ahli faced the goal but his shot was saved by Dubai's keeper Jamal Abdullah to end the first half with a 1-1 draw.

 Al Ahli commenced the second session with well-organized forays and Ahmed Khalil was to add the second goal for the visiting team, but his volley missed the target 7 minutes into the second half. Another attempt came from Canavaro 6 minutes later for the goalie Jamal Abdullah to deflect it to a corner. Jamal came again to make a lovely save in the 70th minute when Ahmed Khalil launched a severe shot off a stand ball. His teammate Tarek Ahmed made another attempt in the 76th minute but Dubai's goalie Jamal Abdullah cleared the ball away. Dubai relied heavily on counter attacks and their dividends were paid when Michael Laurent made a double kick putting the ball switched from the right flank into the net securing a 2-1 win for his team.