Al Ahli hit four past Bani Yas

David Cooper - Writer 12:04 21/02/2014
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  • Clear at the top: Al Alhi remain six points clear after beating Bani Yas.

    Al Ahli continued their march towards the AGL title with a emphatic 4-1 win over Bani Yas thanks to goals from Ahmad Khalil, Grafite, Ismaeel Al Hammadi and Ciel.

    There was a consolation for the visitors from Haboush Saleh but it counted for little as the Sky Blues’ poor run of form continued.

    From the opening moments it became clear that Al Ahli were going to dominate proceedings and they almost opened the scoring as early as the 16th minute when Ahmad Khalil produced a perfectly weighted lob.

    The ball seemed destined for the empty net only for Yousef Jaber to somehow get back and brilliantly clear the ball from danger.

    Grafite was the next to go close as he latched onto a hopeful long ball but with Bani Yas defender Abdul Salam Al Mukhain putting him under pressure the Brazilian was only able to poke the ball marginally wide.

    As half-time approached, Al Ahli had nothing to show for all of their dominance but as the referee was about to blow the whistle Khalil finally opened the scoring. The UAE striker powerfully headed home a wonderful cross from Ismaeel Al Hammadi who had received the ball from Hugo Vianna as Bani Yas fell asleep from a short corner.

    Now with the advantage, the Red Knights looked to step it up in the second half and Humaid Abbas almost doubled the lead when his fierce striker was well stopped by Mohsin Al Hashmi.

    But it was only a matter of time before the second came and just after the hour mark it was Al Ahli’s prolific Brazilian forward who doubled their lead.

    Ciel raced down the right and delivered a perfect cross to Grafite who smashed the ball into the roof of the net for his 13th league goal of the campaign.

    With 20 minutes remaining Bani Yas appeared to be back in the game when Haboush Saleh capitalised on a defensive mix-up between Saif Yousif and Azooz Sanqour to get the Sky Blues back into the contest. Nawaf Mubarak then almost found an equaliser when he unleashed a dipping strike from distance that Saif Yousif did well to turn over the crossbar.

    But with Bani Yas on the attack, there were holes in defence and Al Ahli managed to regain their two goal advantage as Ciel once again broke down the right. This time he unselfishly squared the ball to Al Hammadi who slid the ball home.

    There was even time for a fourth in the 86th minute when Grafite was held back in the area and the referee pointed to the spot.

    Ciel stepped up to slot the ball home as the Reds Knights’ secured a 14th win of the season that sees them remain some six points clear of Al Shabab who claimed a hard-fought 1-0 away win at Ajman courtesy of a lone goal from Adeilson.

    After a goalless first half, it was not until the 78th minute that the Brazilian striker netted his ninth goal of the season to hand Shabab all three points.

    Elsewhere on Thursday, Al Jazira secured a 2-0 away win over Dubai thanks to recent signing Felipe Caicedo. The Ecuadorian scored his first and second goals for the club, condemning Dubai to their 12th defeat of the season.

    The victory kept Jazira in the race for the title as they sit in third position, just three points off second but some nine points behind runaway leaders Al Ahli.

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