Olaroiu's team records fourth straight win in Arabian Gulf League

Abu Dhabi - Brazilian Everton Ribeiro fired a brace and compatriot Rodrigo Lima scored the other as the Red Knights scored a commanding 3-1 victory at the Al Nahyan Stadium on Sunday night.

 Al Ahli coach Cosmin Olaroiu had feared prior to kick-off about how his side will cope after their AFC Champions League exertions four days ago. But his players allayed those fears with a convincing win over Al Wahda and make it four out of four in the Arabian Gulf League.
Brazilian Everton Ribeiro fired a brace and compatriot Rodrigo Lima scored the other as the Red Knights scored a commanding 3-1 victory at the Al Nahyan Stadium on Sunday night.
Coach Cosmin Olaroiu, angered by Al Wahda refusal to accept a change of date, showed intent and went in with more or less the same line-up which had beaten Al Hilal. And his men stood up on the night to notch their fourth win in four games. Both tested each other with a couple of forays in the opening minutes but none to write home about. Al Ahli, though, had a fair share of it and broke the deadlock two minutes before the half-hour mark. Brazilian Everton Ribeiro played a one-two with Walid Abbas deep on the right before curling a cross in. None could get a touch as it sailed in.
The Red Knights came close to adding to that lead on 37 minutes when Ismail Al Hammadi let loose a threatening long ranger but goalkeeper Adel Al Hosani did well to have it covered after initially fumbling with the collection.
Al Wahda could have restored parity with three minutes left in the half when Ismail Matar chipped a freekick for Sebastian Tagliabue. But the Argentine's header from close range, just whizzed over the cross bar.
Al Wahda showed a bit more urgency after the restart and came close four minutes after the break but were denied by the woodwork. Matar's corner was cleared by the defence and it fell in Denilson's path. But the Brazilian's first time shot hit the left post.But Al Ahli, who looked even more menacing and dangerous as the game wore on, doubled the lead just after the hour through Rodrigo Lima after Ribeiro had done the spade work.
Ribeiro stole the ball from Matar on the byline of his own half before galloping to mount a counter. He attempted a pass to Lima but found Hamdan Al Kamali, as the ball deflected off the defender. Al Kamali, though botched up the clearance and Ribeiro pounced on it again before setting it up for Lima on the middle. Lima rounded out Adel Al Hosani before slotting it home with ease.
Ribeiro then put the game beyond doubt by completing his brace, with the ball hitting the inside of the far post before rolling in.
Jorge Valdivia weaved his way before shooting home to put Al Wahda up on the score sheet, but it was too little too late as Al Ahli returned to Dubai as deserving winners.
james@khaleejtimes.com