New coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena gave himself a watching brief as youngster Khalfan Hassan doubled up in Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club’s 2-1 victory against Ajman in the Arabian Gulf Cup.
The ex-Al Wasl boss was officially presented as a replacement for the underwhelming Jose Luis Sierra only on Friday. This gave him too little time on the training pitch to take full charge for Sunday’s Group A-fixture.
For the upcoming era, diminutive teenage forward Hassan could prove to be an important figure. The 19-year-old capitalised on an error from giant centre-back Hassan Zahran to put the hosts at Rashid Stadium ahead just before the interval – this was his first-ever Shabab Al Ahli goal.
Nigerian forward Stanley Ohawuchi then got on the end of a loose clearance by defender Mohamed Jaber to level up on 62 minutes. Hassan’s night, however, was not done.
Only a minute later he tapped in after midfielder Ahmed Jshak’s mazy dribble.
Meanwhile, holders Al Wahda raced into the quarter-finals with a 2-0 triumph against Dibba Al Fujairah that made it a perfect four wins from four fixtures.
Forward Mohamed Al Hammadi’s first-time shot crept in on 19 minutes after exceptional work from full-back Khalil Ibrahim.
Ibrahim then got on the score sheet himself three minutes before half-time when he smartly converted when played clean through.
Bani Yas staged a dramatic fightback to win 2-1 at fellow promoted outfit Ittihad Kalba.
Abdullah Buashwan and prolific summer signing Pedro Conde cancelled out Mana Al Baroud’s early tap-in.
