Tuesday, Oct 30, 2012
Abu Dhabi: Al Jazira goalkeeper Ali Khaseef insists his side are going in the right direction and will soon win matches after they fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with champions Al Ain on Monday night.
Meanwhile, Bani Yas became the new leaders of the Etisalat Pro-League after overcoming Dibba 2-0, to lead Al Nasr by a point.
At the Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium, the match between the last two winners of the title, Al Jazira and Al Ain, was an entertaining affair, with both teams doing their best to win the points.
“I believe we are going in the right direction and we will soon start showing our brand of football and we will win matches,” said Ali Khaseef afterwards.
It was Al Ain, the reigning champions, who drew first blood as Asamoah Gyan put them into the lead from the penalty spot in the 45th minute, while Jires Kembo-Ekoko added the second five minutes after the break. But the second goal gave the home team a cause to fight as they changed their style and came all out for a goal, especially after the introduction of both Matias Delgado and Ali Mabkhoot, who added great strength to their team’s attacking force.
Defender Abdullah Mousa scored the first goal for the home team in the 60th minute and Ricardo Oliveira levelled the scores 14 minutes later.
Al Jazira pressed hard for the winner, but the visitors kept them at bay.
“We lost our concentration after leading 2-0 and became more relaxed; that was our mistake, ” Al Ain midfielder Mirel Radoi said after the match. “Playing against top teams like Al Jazira you can’t lose focus or will be punished. It is good we did not lose the match.”
“Performance wise, though, it was our best match so far this season.”
Meanwhile, Cosmin Olaroiu, the head coach of Al Ain, was so disappointed at losing a comfortable 2-0 lead that he asked his players to go and apologise to their fans after the final whistle.
In another key match on Monday, Bani Yas leapfrogged leaders Al Nasr after beating Dibba 2-0, with Andre Senghor and Ahmad Ali scoring for the home team to increase their tally to 12 points. This is one more than Al Nasr, who were forced to settle for a 1-1 tie with Dubai.
It was truly a week of drawn matches, as Al Wasl and Al Dhafrah drew 1-1 and Ajman and Al Shabab also shared the spoils, 2-2.
Meanwhile, Brazilian striker Grafite, of Al Ahli, became the sole leader of the top scorers of the league following his brace against Al Ittihad from Kalba on Monday.
Gratife has 11 goals in 5 matches, one more than Asamoah Gyan of Al Ain, who added a goal from the penalty spot against Al Jazira.
Al Faro of Al Wasl and Andre Senghor of Bani Yas have scored six goals each, followed by Italian Mascara Giuseppe, of Al Nasr, Australian Richard Porta of Dubai and Brazilian Rodrigo of Al Shaab, with five goals each. Ricardo Oliveira, of Al Jazira, has scored four goals.
Nasir Khamis, of Al Shaab, is the top local scorer with three goals.
By Yasir Abbasher Senior Reporter
Gulf News 2012. All rights reserved.
