Douglas hat-trick sees Al Ain close the gap to AGL summit

Matt Jones - Editor 23:02 06/03/2016
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  • All three of Al Ain's goals came from the left boot of Douglas.

    A sublime hat-trick from brilliant Brazilian Douglas helped ease the pressure on Zlatko Dalic as Al Ain beat famous foes Al Jazira to go back to within a point of the Arabian Gulf League summit.

    All three goals came from the January signing’s deadly left boot, the Boss’ class just about showing against a determined but nevertheless inferior Jazira.

    The reigning champions have been off-colour of late, losing four of their seven previous games in all competitions, but the purple-clad visitors prevailed in Al Clasico.

    A classic it was not, but with the sort of scrutiny his side and he especially has been under of late, Dalic will care little.

    A largely tepid encounter on the field was in contrast to a lively affair in the stands, more than 9,000 fans packing the often hollow Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.

    The vociferous away contingent finally had something to shout about when Mohamed Jamal’s clumsy challenge on former home favourite Yaser Matar gifted their side the lead after 25 minutes.

    Douglas, who has endured a nightmare from 12 yards in recent weeks, having missed one in Al Ain’s opening AFC Champions League game against El Jaish, rifled the spot kick high past Ali Khaseif’s outstretched left hand into the top corner.

    The noise inside MBZ reached unfathomably high levels when the hosts equalised 12 minutes later through their talisman, Ali Mabkhout.

    Matar was involved again, the veteran robbed of possession by Thiago Neves who fed Mabkhout.

    Having shot tamely as Khalid Essa minutes earlier following a mazy run, he arrowed a dart into the bottom corner to raise the roof.

    The goal had his coach, Henk ten Cate, dancing in the dugout and for the rest of the half the Pride of Abu Dhabi had the Boss swaying to their beat as the game burst into life.

    Khaseif saved unconventionally on the line from Saeed Musabeh’s cross-shot, but Jazira countered and Mabkhout almost had a second before Essa palmed Kenwyne Jones’ effort behind.

    Despite promising much, the second 45 minutes flattered to deceive. It wasn’t until the hour mark that the first chance arrived, although it was worth waiting for.

    The 28-year-old Douglas, acquired from Japan’s Sanfrecce Hiroshima, controlled a long Omar Abdulrahman pass, the first touch to take it away from the defence was brilliant, his second emphatic as he thundered another rocket into the top left corner.

    The hosts rallied briefly, former Al Ain defender Fares Juma’s header saved comfortably by Essa, but they were flagging.

    With just over 10 minutes remaining they were beaten, Douglas fittingly sealing a welcome victory.

    Compatriot Fellipe Bastos played in Mohamed Abdulrahman down the left, whose centre was perfect, Douglas sweeping into the roof of the net after beating Musallem Fayez to the ball.

    Delight for Al Ain and Dalic. Despair for Ten Cate and Jazira.

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