Al Ahli 4-1 Dibba
AHL: Al Hammadi 45', Gyan 61', Kwon 64', Lima 69'
DIB: Salem 47'
Story of the match
DUBAI // Reigning Arabian Gulf League champions, Al Ahli's perfect start to their defence sustains, thanks in large part to an eight-minute blitz at the Rashid Stadium on Saturday.
The Dubai club laboured for the best part of an hour at home to Dibba, stuck at 1-1 and almost conceding a second when Danilo de Oliveira failed to provide a finish with only Ahli goalkeeper Majed Naser to beat. Within a few seconds, Asamoah Gyan had volleyed the hosts into the lead, swiftly followed by a Kwon Kyung-won half-volley from a corner and a superb Rodrigo Lima free-kick.
Three quick-fire goals, three points, three wins from three league matches thus far this season: job done for Ahli. However, and although it seems strange to say it, Cosmin Olaroiu’s men will still need to improve.
For 60 minutes, Dibba gave as good as they got. They certainly thought they had done enough in the first half to keep Ahli at bay, but Ismail Al Hammadi stole into their penalty area in stoppage-time and brilliantly volleyed home Khamis Esmail’s raking ball.
Dibba responded immediately after the break, though, when De Oliveira’s low cross was deflected into Khalifa Salem’s path and he pounced for an easy close-range finish. The visitors should really have then taken the lead, if it wasn’t for De Oliveira fluffing his one-on-one with Naser. The Brazilian attempted to dink the ball over the advancing UAE No 1, but did not get enough purchase on the ball.
Then Ahli went up the other end and scored. From there, Dibba’s night all but ended, while the UAE champions continued to plot their blemish-free path.
Man of the match
Everton Ribeiro, Al Ahli – The Brazilian was his side’s best player and typically found space to instigate attacks. Assisted Kwon’s goal and generally dictated Ahli’s tempo when they ventured forward.
What the managers said
Cosmin Olaroiu, Al Ahli: “Even though the score was 4-1, I don’t think this was the reality on the pitch. They forced us into mistakes and sometimes we paid a bit of a price. Unfortunately, we played slow. When we increased the speed and played in our way, things came easier for us. We cannot be perfect, but we always try our best.”
Paulo Sergio, Dibba: “Al Ahli is Al Ahli, Dibba is Dibba. There is a big difference in quality between us. We made things hard in the first half for Al Ahli, who made one or two mistakes. In the second half, we started very well. We had a big chance to score. I congratulate Al Ahi, but we need to cut out these kind of mistakes.”
National verdict
The champions struggled through the opening hour, and much credit has to go to Dibba’s endeavor. However, Ahli’s class eventually told, with three of their four goals fine finishes.
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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