Red Knights crowned Gulf Cup kings to keep treble alive

Martyn Thomas 21:50 19/04/2014
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  • Thumps up: Grafite helped Al Ahli come from behind to lift the cup.

    Al Ahli remain on course for the domestic treble as Ismail Al Hamadi struck nine minutes from time to seal a 2-1 win and Arabian Gulf Cup glory against Al Jazira.

    The Red Knights trailed at half-time thanks to an Ali Mabkhout penalty, but with Hugo Viana pulling the strings in midfield they were the dominant force after the break and scored twice in the final 21 minutes through Grafite and Al Hamadi.

    Jazira, reduced to 10 men late on as Hassan Ameed was shown a second booking for a clash with Ciel, were unable to rouse themselves and slipped to a second successive final defeat in this competition.

    Victory for the Red Knights, though, means they are now just one step away from a domestic clean sweep with the President’s Cup final against Al Ain to come on May 18.

    Ahli came into the game as favourites and created the first opportunity of the match as Grafite stung Ali Khaseif’s palms from distance.

    But Jazira had given as good as they got in the opening 10 minutes and were only denied the opening goal as Basheer Saeed acrobatically cleared off the line after Mabkhout had lofted the ball over Saif Yousif.

    Saeed’s intervention was perfectly timed, but the former Al Wahda defender could only stand and watch in the 28th minute as Mabkhout gave his side the lead from the penalty spot.

    The UAE striker showed great composure to chest Abdulla Qasem’s right wing cross past Walid Abbas inside the area, but as he steadied himself to shoot he was caught by his international colleague.

    Eyebrows were raised in the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium when Mabkhout placed the ball on the spot, but his confidence was rewarded as he sent Yousif the wrong way.

    And the 23-year-old could have doubled Jazira’s lead before the break but having cut in from the left flank fired wide of the far post.

    It would be the last opening Walter Zenga’s side would carve out for a while as Ahli started the second half in determined mood. Al Hamadi and Viana both went close, before Cosmin Olaroiu introduced Ahmed Khalil for the disappointing Luis Jimenez just after the hour.

    Within seconds, Grafite had flashed a difficult chance over the bar while the Red Knights were soon appealing for a penalty as Khalil’s flick appeared to strike Khamis Esmail on the arm.

    Viana was now in the groove, and with a little over 21 minutes remaining the Portuguese crafted a wonderful left wing cross from which Grafite powered in an impressive header to beat Khaseif.

    The Dubai side sensed blood and after Khalil and Viana had both gone close, Al Hamadi took advantage of some woeful defending to give them the lead.

    The UAE winger is partial to an important goal but his task was made a little easier here as two Jazira defenders dove in on him, allowing him the room to fire past Khaseif.

    Tempers began to fray as the game ticked into injury time, with Jucilei and Al Hamadi both involved in a melee before Ameen received his second booking late on.

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