Dubai: Shabab Ahli and Ajman collected full points with identical 2-1 home wins against Kalba and Bani Yas respectively in early matches of the fifth round of the Arabian Gulf League (AGL) on Thursday.
Trailing to a 25th-minute strike from former Montpellier forward Giovanni Sio, Shabab Ahli struck back with two late goals from Ecuador’s Jaime Ayovi and Henrique Luvannor to seal full points and ease the pressure from their Chilean coach Jose Luis Sierra.
In Ajman, the home team took the lead in the 14th minute when former Al Wasl defender Hassan Zahran struck home from the far post only to see Hassan Mohammad restore parity in the 63rd minute. However, Stanley Nka ensured full points for the orange brigade when he converted from close in the 71st minute.
In Al Aweer, the visiting Kalba did well to soak up the early pressure and it was Sio’s quick thinking in the 25th minute that led to the only goal of the match. Sighting Majid Nasser out of position, the Ivory Coast forward let go a first-time left footer that looped over the former UAE national team goalkeeper.
After that Shabab Ahli went all out in search of at least an equaliser and came close to getting one when Esmail Al Hammadi making a darting run through the middle for a long ball from Abdul Aziz Al Haikal. And even though the speedy winger controlled well, he could not find enough power and direction on his shot to get past Kalba goalkeeper Al Bairaq.
It was Ayovi who finally got the leveller when he hit home a stray ball that came off a defender following an attempted volley from Luvannor. Sensing full control, the home team went all out and were rewarded with a second when Luvannor remained unmarked at the far post to drill home from a narrow angle and hand full points to Shabab Al Ahli Dubai for only the second time in five matches this season.
RESULTS
Shabab Al Ahli Dubai 2 Kalba 1
Ajman 2 Bani Yas 1
