Al Nasr blank Emirates

Al Nasr’s African-import Ibrahima Toure drew first blood for the Dubai in the 43rd minute with a lovely header following a perfect cross by Tariq Ahmed.

Dubai: Al Nasr earned a sweeping 3-0 away victory over Emirates to advance to the sixth position with 36 points at the Emirates Stadium in in Ras Al Khaimah. An Ibrahima Toure double was added to by Fahad Hadeed to keep Emirates on 24 points at the close of Round 24 in the Arabian Gulf League.

Al Nasr’s African-import Ibrahima Toure drew first blood for the Dubai in the 43^rd minute with a lovely header following a perfect cross by Tariq Ahmed. Toure came again to complete a double with a powerful header from a looping Mahmoud Khamis corner kick one minute after the hour mark.

Towards the 81^st minute, substitute Fahad Hadeed fired home the third goal with a strong long range shot which has sailed past the Emirates keeper Ahmed Al Shaji into the back of the net within just two minutes of coming on in place of the injured Ali Hussain.

“I’m delighted to score for me team from the first scoring opportunity,” said the Olympic national team skipper Fahad Salem Hadid. “We were hopeful to have done better and qualified for the AFC Champions League by finishing in the top four, but this did not happen. There’s still chance to claim the President Cup and take another route to the continent’s premier competition,” he added.

Hadid promised to work hard with his teammates in order to retain their Gulf Club Championship’s title after having reached the semifinals of the regional competition though they need to overcome Al Shabab’s hurdle.

“At least UAE will be represented in the final. Playing against Al Shabab is exciting because it’s a true Dubai derby and I like that. Our team is making a good move  in the right direction and hopefully we will beat our city rivals Al Shabab and make it into the final of the GCC Club Cup,” he concluded.