Mabkhout the star as Jazira dump Ahli out of President's Cup

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  • Al Jazira's hat-trick hero Ali Mabkhout (UAE Football Association).

    If this was the last time Cosmin Olaroiu would be seen patrolling the touchline in the UAE, he leaves without a fitting ending.

    Hopes of a first President’s Cup success during five years as the country’s dominant coach and a double this term with Al Ahli were killed by resurgent Al Jazira, who had a ruthlessly-taken hat-trick from 29-goal forward Ali Mabkhout to thank for their spot in next Sunday’s final.

    The Pride of Abu Dhabi were everything the favourites were not during this 3-2 last-four triumph. They were biting in the tackle, concise with the ball and lethal in front of goal.

    Only the Arabian Gulf League champions’ inner sanctum will know how big a role the continued doubts about their omnipotent bosses’ future played on Friday night.

    When pressed on the issue after an uncharacteristically limp display at Al Ain’s Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium, Olaroiu declined to further reveal his thoughts.

    He tartly replied: “Any game for a coach can be the last.”

    For the 46-year-old, a drop in focus in the city he managed in from 2011-13 was behind the loss.

    He added: “We couldn’t do everything we wanted, didn’t play with the spirit we wanted to.

    “We were close to playing the final, but we should take a look at the full season in the performances we gave. Maybe in this region when you win, a lot of things affect you.”

    For the victors, a campaign headed towards an unexpected relegation in December after the disastrous re-appointment of Abel Braga now promises a happy ending under replacement Henk ten Cate. Fallen giants have risen, with Bani Yas or Al Ain now standing in the way of silverware.

    “We now go to the final and will try to win it,” the 61-year-old, voice hoarse from the exertion. “If we do, it will probably be my greatest achievement as a coach.

    “We scored three fantastic goals with Mabkhout. But it was a fantastic team effort, especially considering where we came from.”

    Mabkhout needed a spill from UAE No1 Majed Nasser on 15 minutes to pilfer the opener, following up Thiago Neves’ tame free-kick.

    It was not long before an undeserved and controversial leveller. Forward Ahmed Khalil took an age to go down under minimal contact from right-back Sultan Al Suwaidi, allowing record-buy Moussa Sow to show no mercy from the penalty spot.

    Jazira refused to be downhearted and a stunning header from Mabkhout put them back in front before the break.

    Daylight was earned on 56 minutes. A cutting one-two between South Korea midfielder Park Jong-woo – who set up the second with a deep free-kick – and Mabkhout ended with the latter delicately dinking over the on-rushing Nasser.

    The expected siege came with only minutes left, Sow tapping in a second from a scruffy set-piece.

    Jazira are not known for exhibiting a backbone, but they then held firm to gain a shot at a first trophy since the 2012 edition.

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