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Al Shabab beat Ajman with Edgar’s hat trick to top Group “C”

Al Shabab came from behind when they were two goals down to outclass Ajman 3-2 in the Etisalat Cup fourth round game played this evening at Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium in Al Shabab Club in Dubai. The winners jumped to top Group “C” with 7 points, one point ahead of the losers who slipped to second position with a record of 6 points.

It was only seven minutes into the game before Shihab Ahmed fired a severe volley off a stand ball that went straight into the left hand side corner scoring an early goal that gave the visitors a 1-0 lead. Inspired by this goal, Ajman tried every bit of effort to add the second but they failed to make it, while the hosts doubled their work trying to come back into the game putting more pressure on their rivals’ defense, and although they created some dangerous chances but they couldn’t score.

Both squads continued their attempts but all their efforts were in vain. Al Shabab Brazilian striker Ciel was unhappy to see his lovely header rebound off the upright seven minutes before the breather. Ajman finished the first half with a one-goal lead.

Ajman doubled their advantage when Founeke Sy collected the ball inside the six yard area, rebounded two defenders before sending the ball into the net to make it 2-0 only three minutes into the second session.

Al Shabab continued their poor performance with only Brazilian player Ciel appearing to be the only one who fought hard and demonstrated  a convincing display. But his continuous efforts were rewarded when he collected the ball and ran down the right flank, switched it into the box for his countryman Edgar, who came on minutes before, to head it into the net in the 67th minute to reduce the deficit to 2-1. Al Shabab defender Essa Mohammed was almost to bring the game into parity but his strike was intercepted by Ajman keeper for a corner in the 71st minute. The home team pressed hard afterwards forcing their opponents to retreat back to defend their narrow lead. But Edgar came to benefit from Abdullah Darweesh’s long ball behind Ajman defence for Edgar to round up the goalkeeper before sending it into the empty net in the 79th minute to level the score and he himself headed home the winner two minutes later for a hat trick to give his side a 3-2 win.