Gulf News - Al Shabab scored their first
win in the football league by defeating Dubai club 2-1 in the last match
of round one at Maktoum bin Rashid stadium yesterday.
The win was a good start for the club's new board of directors appointed
yesterday chaired by the club founder Dr. Ahmed Saif Balhasa who attended
the match with other board members.
The Al Shabab supporters were delighted with the first victory which they
waited for it 11 matches where they lost seven times and drew in three.
With the win Al Shabab advanced one step in the standings with six points
while Dubai club stayed seventh with 12 points.
Dubai club failed to win last seven matches. They lost four and drew in
three matches. Al Shabab's German coach Rainer Holleman was very happy
with the first win. "We played well especially in the second half. We
could have won by six goals. Walid lost a penalty kick and Minavand, Salim
Saad and Abdul Rahman Fadel also lost scoring chances," said Holleman.
He added that he need 14 points more to stay in the First division.
"There are 11 matches left in the second round. If we reach 20
points, then we are safe and wouldn't be relegated."
Chilean striker Cristian Montecinos opened the score for Dubai after six
minutes from kick off through a direct free kick from 20 meters.
Al Shabab dominated most of the play. Iranian midfielder Mehrdad Minavand
did a good job. Also Adel Abdullah and Jumaa Ahmed did their midfield
defensive role perfectly.
Dubai defended their 1-0 lead despite Al Shabab attacking through Walid
Obaid and Ali Daei who broke through the Dubai club penalty area several
times, but lacked the final touch.
After resumption, it took 13 minutes for Al Shabab to score the equaliser.
The Dubai defence marked them closely and goalkeeper Obaid Tawila caught
all the high balls crossed from the flanks.
Walid Obaid was brought down by Dubai defender Abdullah Thani and referee
Farid Ali pointed to the spot without hesitation. Walid himself converted
the spot kick sending the keeper the wrong direction in 58th minute.
After five minutes Minavand lost a golden chance to score the second goal
when Walid crossed to him infront of an open Dubai goal. The Iranian
midfielder couldn't capitalise, he fell down and Dubai defenders cleared
it away.
Walid also lost a penalty kick in 69th minute when Omer Rashid brought him
down. Walid missed target this time and his shot went just near the post.
Al Shabab continued creating pressure against Dubai penalty area with Ali
Daei scoring the winner in 72nd minute. Daei fired a cracker from 25
meters which gave Tawila no chance under the Dubai bar.
Dubai club attacks lacked sharpness infront of the Al Shabab goal. Ibrahim
Hubaita, Salah Yousuf and Khamis Jaafar kept Dubai dangerous strikers
Cristian and Kabouka at bay and kept their narrow lead unrtil the final
whistle despite Cristian's attempt one minute before the end when his shot
from close range went near the upright.
Al Shabab could have finished the match 4-1 had not Salim Saad who came as
substitute in the second session lost a chance in injury time to add the
third when he was put through by Daei. He couldn't go past the keeper who
blocked his way. Abdul Rahman Fadhel lobbed the ball above Tawila after he
was completely beaten. The ball was cleared by a Dubai defender in the
last moment before it crossed the goalline.
In the second match played at Khalid bin Mohammed stadium in Sharjah, Al
Shaab defeated Dhafra 4-2. Al Shaab defender Omran Al Jassmy scored the
fastest goal this season in the first minute. After three minutes Dain
Faei levelled for Dhafra. Abdul Rahman Ibrahim added the second goal for
Al Shaab and Mohammed Suroor made it 3-1 from the spot. Abdul Rahim
Choclate hit the fourth goal one minute before the break. Abdul Hakim
Balhoon scored Dhafra second five minutes before the end. Al Shaab stayed
fifth with 21 point while Dhafra dropped to the last place with six
points.