Treble dream still on for Al Ahli after they book League Cup final place

Ciel rides to the rescue again for Arabian Gulf League leaders

Ciel, left, pictured during an Arabian Gulf League match against Al Shabab on March 3, 2014, scored a late winner for Al Ahli in their League Cup semi-final against Sharjah on Saturday. Satish Kumar /Show more

SHARJAH // Al Ahli remain on track for an unprecedented domestic treble with Ciel's injury-time winner allowing them to down Sharjah and book a face-off with Al Jazira in the League Cup final on April 19.

Leading the Arabian Gulf League by six points and through to the final of the President's Cup against Al Ain, Ahli seemed to be playing second fiddle to the hosts for large parts of the game on Saturday.

But it was Ahli substitute Ciel – who replaced Ahmed Khalil in the 59th minute – who took advantage of a perfect Luis Jimenez through ball three minutes into added time to seal a 1-0 win for Cosmin Olaroiu’s team, who were reduced to 10 men in the 89th minute after Abdulaziz Sanqour’s second booking.

The first team to take points off Ahli in the league this season after their seven-match winning start, Sharjah looked like they might bring the Dubai club’s treble hopes to an end as well, creating several opportunities in the first half.

Ze Carlos was a regular threat, but the best opportunity came in the 24th minute when Fellype Gabriel found Yousuf Saeed, but he shot wide from close range.

Ahmed Khamis had an easier chance in the 39th minute, with the goal gaping after Ahli’s goalkeeper mis-hit a clearance but he headed wide.

With Ahli under more pressure in the second half, Ciel and Hugo Viana were sent on from the bench and their introduction turned things around for the visitors.

Ahli’s best chance came in the 88th minute, but Grafite headed wide from six yards.

A minute later, Sanqour was given his marching orders after picking up his second yellow card of the night, this one for an angry protest at a referee’s decision.

The red card had little impact on the game though as a misplaced pass by Sharjah in central midfield allowed Jimenez to intercept and he fed Ciel, who curled a first-time shot into the top corner.

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