Al Ahli finally find their feet with vital win over rivals Al Jazira

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  • Much needed: Ahli registered a massive win against one of their rivals for the AGL title.

    Out of chaos, true champions are able to emerge.

    Al Ahli proved they are in no mood to relinquish their Arabian Gulf League crown, claiming an enthralling heavyweight clash with Al Jazira 4-2 in a match that possessed everything.

    Suspect officiating, shaky defending and swashbuckling attacking play detailed an enlivening clash at Rashid Stadium.

    Grafite was key, his brace essential on an evening when the rigours of the international break seemed to take the edge off Jazira's 10-goal superstar Mirko Vucinic.

    A hectic five-minute spell from 50 minutes dictated a fixture that has seen Cosmin Olaroiu's men launch straight back into the title fight.

    The Red Knights had been poor imitations of last season's treble winners, languishing in sixth place coming into the match. They knew they had to check third-placed opposition who had taken Al Clasico honours against Al Ain before the internationals.

    Lose last night, and a six-point gap would emerge. More important was the questions such a result would create.

    Was the fire still in Ahli's belly after cruising to AGL, Arabian Gulf Super Cup and Arabian Gulf Cup success? This one was answered defiantly.

    For Jazira, life is never boring when they are around. The Pride of Abu Dhabi score and concede with an abandon coach Eric Gerets is yet to address.

    The Belgian often cuts an exasperated figure on the touchline, agog at what is unfolding.

    A measured first-half saw him reside in his dugout while opposite number Olaroiu prowled. He was soon forced out of his seat after the break.

    The enormity of the tie, even so early in the season, saw a cautious start from both sides.

    And when the breakthrough on 23 minutes, it came in controversial circumstances. Grafite rose highest to flick a Mirel Radoi free-kick into a goal vacated by the absent Ali Khaseif, but the captain was a yard offside.

    Ahli grew in confidence as a result and they could not have expected what was to come from the last kick of the half.

    Centre-back Basheer Saeed cruelly stretched out a leg and put a Jonathan Pitroipa cross into his own net.

    Parity should have enlivened Jazira. Instead, they came off worst in a three-goal blitz after the interval.

    Little seemed on when a ball was chipped up from the back by Ahli. Banking on Jazira's flakiness, Grafite nudged Juma Abdulla out of the way for Carlos Munoz to deftly chip in his first league goal since joining from Bani Yas.

    The superb Ismail Al Hammadi then slotted home immediately after the restart from Humaid Abbas' cutting pass. It was not game over.

    Ali Mabkhout was felled in the box on 55 minutes, converting Jazira's sixth penalty of the season himself.

    The hope of a fightback would not last. Al Hammadi's wonderful pass round the side played in Grafite, his shot rising into the roof of the goal via Khaseif's legs.

    "Grafite, Grafite" echoed around the stands. With campaigners like him, expect Ahli to explode from here.

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