Al Ahli topped the standing in the First division league after they defeated mighty Al Wahda 2-0 in the second round at the Rashid stadium in Dubai yesterday.
Al Ahli, with six points from two matches have scored seven goals and conceeded one. It was the second win for Ahli over Al Wahda in ten days time. Al Ahli threw Al Wahda out of the President's Cup race following a penalty shoot out win at Al Ain.
Al Wahda have one point from a 1-1 draw against Al Shaab last week. Abdul Rahim Juma of Al Wahda was sent off following a harsh tackle on Ahmed Shah of Ahli in injury time.
Al Ahli deserved to win the three points. They were the better side with good finishers - Iranian Ali Karimi, Salim Khamis and Bosnian Metrovic. On the contrary, Al Wahda lacked good finishing.
They shared dominance in midfield at times but failed to score with Nigerian pro Ekasion Ebedion in poor form He failed to breakthrough the tight Ahli defence and coach David Rainus was forced to take him out in the 65th minute and bring in Saleh Hamad.
Ismail Mattar tried hard, but with no one assisting him it came to naught.
Al Ahli took the initiative when an Ali Karimi header hit the crossbar in 17th minute, which was an early warning for Wahda defence who couldn't stop the Ahli strikers' dangerous move.
Salim Khamis scored the first for Ahli in the 18th minute following a corner kick. Salim recieved the ball at the far end, went past two defenders and fired a right footer into the far corner of the net despite several Wahda defenders being inside their penalty area.
After the Ahli goal, the match was marred by rough play and four players were yellow carded (two from each team).
The upright denied Al Wahda of the equaliser when Bashir Saeed's header bounced off the post in the 35th minute. Moroccan defender Mohammed bin Sherrifa's blast was tipped over for a corner by Ahli keeper Ali Saeed three minutes later.
Al Ahli continued dominating in the second half with Metrovic's powerful shot going over the bar while Salim Khamis' try was saved by Wahda keeper Ramadan Mal Allah in the 53rd minute.
Two minutes later wingback Jasim Akbar crossed to Ali Karimi near the far post and the gifted Iranian player shot into the empty net.
The Al Wahda coach made some changes in the front line, however nothing changed and Ahli defence stood firm and denied Wahda of any scoring chances until the end.
In the other matches, Al Shaab beat Al Ittihad 2-1, Casiano and Rashid Dossary scored for the winners, Salah Khulaifi for Ittihad.
Al Wasl beat Emarat club 2-0, Farhad Majidi and Ahmed Fairouz scored for Wasl. Al Nasr recovered to defeat Al Shabab 3-1 in which Salah Abbas, Danial, Issa Juma scored for Nasr while Jadilson hit Shabab's lone goal.
Sharjah held Al Ain for a goalless draw in the match held at Al Ain.
ResultsAl Ahli 2 Al Wahda 0 Al Shabab 1 Al Nasr 3Al Wasl 2 Emarat 0Al Shaab 2 Al Ittihad 1Al Jazira 1 Al Khaleej 0Al Ain 0 Sharjah 0
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