Al Ahli’s Arabian Gulf League title charge got back on track on Friday night as Ahmed Khalil’s thunderous free-kick settled a Dubai showdown with Al Wasl.
The 2015 Asian Player of the Year hammered in off the crossbar just before the break as the Red Knights held off their dangerous neighbours in front of a packed Rashid Stadium to triumph 1-0.
Ahli knew victory was a must after last weekend’s late slip up at Al Dhafra cost them two vital points in the battle with champions Al Ain.
Missed chances from Moussa Sow and referee Abdulla Al Ajel raised boss Cosmin Olaroiu’s blood pressure, but his troops managed to creep over the line and into a temporary lead.
A moment of inspiration was required to break the deadlock in a contest which failed to reach the heights of Wasl’s 3-2, Bur Dubai triumph against Al Nasr last time out.
It duly came from Khalil, dusting himself from Abdulla Al Juneibi’s clumsy foul on the edge of the penalty box to crash in a ferocious set-piece.
The UAE forward was swamped by his team-mates and greeted with a wall of noise from the jubilant home fans. Boss Olaroiu simply rocked back in his chair and held his hands to his head in wonder.
The Romanian was then less restrained in his reaction to the decision not to hand gangly Wasl centre-back Hassan Zahran a second yellow card for a clear pull on Khalil.
Buoyed by the opener, Ahli raced up through the gears after the interval.
Record-buy Moussa Sow had scored 10 goals in his last nine appearances, yet his erroneous finish when played clean in by excellent Brazil playmaker Everton Ribeiro’s delicious flick bore the hallmarks of the frustrating figure from his early months in the UAE.
Profligacy can be dangerous against Gabriel Calderon’s excellent fourth-placed side, who were hanging on the ropes but were yet to receive a knockout blow.
Firebrand pair Majed Nasser and Salmeen Khamis were needed to prevent a damaging counter-punch from Wasl, the goalkeeper first pushing away Caio Canedo’s shot before the centre-back bravely prevented Fabio De Lima tapping in the rebound.
The frustration continued for Olaroiu’s challengers, UAE midfielder Habib Fardan – in a show of strength – coming off the bench to strike the base of the post from 20 yards.
A second goal was destined not come. Luckily for Ahli’s title aspirations, it wasn’t to harm them.
