Al Dhafra too good for Al Shaab

Dubai - The hosts took the lead after 22 minutes as captain and regular goalscorer Makhete Diop put his side 1-0 up.

By Hisham Al Gizouli

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Published: Sat 10 Oct 2015, 12:00 AM

Last updated: Sun 11 Oct 2015, 3:29 PM

 Al Dhafra sealed their first Arabian Gulf Cup win with a well-deserved 3-1 home victory over promoted Al Shaab in the third round of the competition at the Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan Stadium in the western region on Friday.
A 22nd minute strike by Senegalese Makete Diop coupled by a long range shot from Ahmed Ali five minutes after the interval and a last-gasp strike of David Torres earned the western region team the full points and improved their chances in the hunt for a place in the second stage. Matias Donoso struck for the Sharjah side at the half hour mark.
"It's true that we are four points off the pace following Al Wasl's 2-0 victory over Bani Yas, but we have our adjourned clash against Al Ahli and have every chance to close on the leaders," said Al Dhafra veteran midfielder Abdul Rahim Jumaa.
"We are looking forward to improve before the resumption of the Arabian Gulf League next week, and the trend of our performance is on the rise. The boys are trying very strongly despite the hot and humid weather conditions," he added.
"In football you need to score goals to win and our opponents have made the best of the three opportunities that have come their way," said Al Shaab's keeper Ismail Rabie. "I hope to do better in the remaining part of the season to make our presence felt," he added.
The hosts took the lead after 22 minutes as captain and regular goalscorer Makhete Diop put his side 1-0 up. But eight minutes later Al Shaab's Matias Donoso had levelled the scores at 1-1; deadlocking with Al Dhafra in a repeat of their final score in the Arabian Gulf League two weeks prior. But there was not to be a recurrence of that result, as just five minutes into the second half Al Dhafra found themselves in front; former Bani Yas man Ahmed Ali hitting the target to make it 2-1 in the 50th minute.
By the 86th minute, Al Dhafra had secured victory in spectacular style as substitute David Barral Torres struck a fierce dipping strike beyond Ismail Rabee, shoring the result up at 3-1.


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