Al Ahli hit five as Olaroiu exit rumours continue to spread

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  • Salmeen Khamis opened the scoring for Al Ahli.

    One topic was always going to dominate Sunday’s Arabian Gulf League title party.

    From the impassioned chants which greeted Cosmin Olaroiu’s arrival before kick-off to all the focus on his every move atop the victors’ podium, the rumblings about the coach’s future at Al Ahli continue to make waves.

    The 46-year-old was less animated on the touchline than usual during this last-day, 5-0 thrashing of long-relegated Al Shaab, not as omnipotent and overbearing.

    An innocent explanation would suggest the demure display was because a second top-flight crown in three glorious years in Dubai had been secured more than a fortnight ago. Yet the continued ructions about his situation, fuelled further by Friday’s thinly-veiled suggestions that sections of the Red Knights hierarchy are no longer behind him, ensure each action is studied. Asked if he was any clearer regarding his next steps, Olaroiu replied: “I’ll be here for the Al Shaab game (Friday’s President’s Cup quarter-final), I hope so.”

    The half-full Rashid Stadium stands – surely not helped by a curious 18:05 kick-off time – rocked to the sound of “Cosmin, Cosmin” as he appeared last from the tunnel.

    They would do the same upon his re-emergence, donning an oversized Romanian flag, for a coronation which featured a brotherly handshake with chairman Abdullah Al Naboodah prior to them lifting the trophy in unison.

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    Goals were guaranteed against yo-yo opposition who head straight back to First Division League with a seven points – the worst return in the professional era –  from 26 fixtures. They were never going to ruin this night, which ended with Dubai’s iconic Burj Khalifa carrying Ahli’s emblem.

    “My team deserves this recognition,” Olaroiu said of the gesture. “They worked hard all season and that’s why we reached where we have. I hope they don’t stop there.”

    It took until 40 minutes for the dam to burst. Centre-back Salmeen Khamis headed home, before the first of two penalties conceded by hapless right-back Talal Mubarak allowed record-buy Moussa Sow to place in from the spot.

    Brazil playmaker Everton Ribeiro’s chipped effort made it three after the break.

    Sow then confidently slotted into the bottom corner for a 17th goal in 31 appearances and Ciel wrapped things up from 12 yards when Mubarak was incorrectly penalised for a handball which actually took place outside the box.

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