AGL ROUND-UP: Al Ain pay high price to down Al Dhafra

Al Ain handed Al Dhafra their first defeat, but the home team may have paid a heavy price as their star striker, Asamoah Gyan, was stretchered off in the final minutes of a 3-1 victory on Friday night at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium.

Al Ain handed Al Dhafra their first defeat, but the home team may have paid a heavy price as their star striker, Asamoah Gyan, was stretchered off in the final minutes of a 3-1 victory last night at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium.

Gyan has led the Arabian Gulf League in scoring the past three seasons, but he appeared to injure his left knee or thigh after an awkward confrontation with Abdullah Sultan, the Dhafra goalkeeper.

Gyan had come on as a substitute in the 62nd minute after having played for his native Ghana in African Cup of Nations qualifiers in the past week.

Miroslav Stoch put Al Ain ahead in the first half. Then Jires Kembo-Ekoko and the defender Mohanad Salem added second-half goals to give Al Ain a 3-0 lead.

Saif Mohammed scored Dhafra’s goal in the 65th minute.

The defeat was the first for Dhafra in six league games; all of the previous five had been draws.

Elsewhere, Emirates settled for a 1-1 stalemate with Sharjah to remain above the five-time champions in the AGL table.

The visitors took the lead just before half time as Rodriguinho, the Brazilian appearing in his second league game, scored his first goal, striking from inside the area.

The attacking midfielder, meant to be a replacement for injured compatriot Luan, joined the team this month, on loan from Corinthians.

Emirates drew level in the second half, German Herrera netting in the 70th minute.

The Ras Al Khaimah side have two victories and two draws from six games, good for eight points. Paulo Bonamigo’s Sharjah remain two points behind Emirates, on a victory and three draws.

SATURDAY’S GAMES

AL AHLI v AL JAZIRA

Eric Gerets, the Al Jazira coach, said their victory over Al Ain has given his players a confidence boost ahead of an away match with champions Al Ahli on Saturday night. “The win over Al Ain has made the players realise they can win against any team,” the Belgian said. “Of course, we are up against one of the best teams in the competition. Ahli haven’t had a good start and if they lose their situation will get more complicated. But if they manage to defeat us, they will get a huge boost – if we can’t win, then we must not lose.”

AL WAHDA v AL WASL Ismail Matar, right, the Al Wahda captain returning from a knee injury, makes his long-awaited season debut against Al Wasl at the Al Nahyan Stadium. Unbeaten Wahda also welcome back Damian Diaz, the Argentine midfielder, after three games out. Gabriel Calderon makes his debut as Wasl coach.

KALBA v AJMAN

Vinicius Soares, Kalba’s coach, hopes they can secure a first victory when Ajman visit for a bottom-of-the-table match. “It is a critical game for us,” said the Brazilian. “This is an opportunity to improve our position from the bottom of the table and we hope we can record our first win in this home game.”

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