Al Shabab may have reduced the gap with league leaders Al Ahli to just one point, thanks to last night’s 2-0 home win over 10-man Al Nasr, but Brazilian coach Marcos Paqueta says he’s not thinking about the title race just yet.
Shabab have emerged as the Red Knights’ most dangerous challengers and are on a fine run, collecting six wins from eight matches across all competitions, but Paqueta is keeping his targets modest.
“I congratulate my players on their discipline, concentration and the high team spirit they showcased on the pitch. It was an important victory,” said Paqueta.
“Our target is to stay in the first four positions of the league in this first half of the championship.
“Then the winter break will come and we’ll have time to rethink some things and make new plans.
“We mustn’t forget that we lost two important players (Walid Abbas and Ciel to Al Ahli) and it takes time to rebuild the team.”
It was a woeful night at the Maktoum bin Rashid Stadium for Nasr’s Khamis Ahmed, whose mistake gifted Shabab the early goal before the defender picked up two yellows and got sent off with 22 minutes to go.
A goal from Rashid Hassan in the final moments of the match sealed the deal for the hosts.
Both sides started strong before Khamis made his error in the 17th minute. The Nasr defender clumsily nodded a high ball to goalkeeper Yousif Abdulla but Edgar Bruno was there to intercept it first and the Brazilian made no mistake.
Shabab captain Haydarov Azizbek almost doubled the lead with a long-range bullet which Yousif Abdulla held onto at the second attempt.
Shabab returned stronger side after the break, but it was Khamis who tipped the match in the hosts’ favour. Having collected a yellow card early in the second half, he made a tough challenge on Carlos Villanueva to receive his marching orders.
Shabab capitalised on their opponents’ misfortune in the 93rd minute when Manei Mohamed Ali fed an inch perfect through pass to Rashid Hassan, who wasted no time in finishing past Yousif Abdulla.
Elsewhere, Al Jazira edged past Emirates courtesy of Ricardo Oliveira’s lone strike.
Makhete Diop scored twice as Dhafra came from behind to beat Dubai 3-2 while Haddaf Abdulla earned Ajman a 2-2 draw against Al Wahda.
