Dubai: UAE national striker Ali Mabkhout announced his return to form with a fine hat-trick to help Al Jazira collect full points against Kalba, while Al Shabab rode on a second-half Tomas De Vincenti goal to maintain their position at the top with a hard-fought 1-0 win against a gutsy Emirates Club in the Arabian Gulf League (AGL) on Friday.
Mabkhout, who scored a brace in Al Jazira’s 3-1 win against Al Wasl in the opening round of the league, found the net in the 54th, 61st and 69th minutes to ensure the Abu Dhabi club returned with full points, and along with it the notion of being genuine challengers for the top spot this season.
The win helped Al Jazira keep their second position to Al Shabab, after the Dubai club remained patient to score late in the second half through their Argentinian playmaker De Vincenti and stay in the top spot of the 14-team standings.
Al Jazira now have ten points, while Al Shabab continue at the perch with a maximum 12 points after four matches.
De Vincenti, who was the only Al Shabab player to receive a yellow card early in the second half, was the lone goalscorer in Ras Al Khaimah when he struck in the 76th minute following a move through the middle.
“We always knew this would be a tricky encounter against a team that is improving so fast,” Al Shabab coach Fred Rutten told Gulf News.
“The entire focus, therefore, was to ensure the players kept their cool and their patience and a goal would come sooner or later. We had gone to Ras Al Khaimah to return with three points, and we are pleased with what we achieved tonight,” the Dutch coach added.
There was a possibility of a mid-table change in the standings after Al Wahda was scheduled to host Al Wasl in Abu Dhabi later on Friday.
Late on Thursday, Sharjah secured only their second win this season with a hard-fought 2-1 win against visiting Al Dhafra. The three points pulled Sharjah up into seventh spot with six points.
RESULTS
(On Friday)
Emirates v Al Shabab 0-1
Kalba v Al Jazira 0-2
(On Thursday)
Sharjah v Al Dhafra 2-1
