Defeat leaves Al Ain season in tatters

David Cooper - Writer 13:25 14/02/2014
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  • Firing blanks: Asamoah Gyan (l) failed to fire Al Ain to victory.

    To all but the most optimistic Al Ain fans, the club’s league title defence was over months ago but after Thursday’s ‘Al Clasico’ defeat to Al Wahda, The Boss are in serious danger of failing to finish in the top four.

    Prior to the clash at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium – Al Ain’s stunning new home – Quique Sanchez Flores’ men were positioned in fifth, but a solitary strike from Sebastian Tagliabue saw Al Wahda leapfrog their rivals by a point.

    Coupled with Al Ahli’s victory at Emirates Club, Al Ain are now 15 points adrift of the Arabian Gulf League leaders.

    And while they remain three points behind fourth-placed Sharjah, Paulo Bonamigo’s side are in action on Friday against lowly Dubai club, aiming to stretch the gap over the reigning two-time champions to six.

    Al Ain are even in danger of falling further down the league table after Al Nasr moved level on points following an impressive 2-0 victory at Bani Yas.

    Hassan Mohammed gave Nasr the advantage two minutes before the interval before substitute Saleh Al Husain made sure of the points five minutes from time.

    After a season that promised so much in the early stages, the defeat is a bitter blow to Bani Yas’ hopes of claiming a place in the top four, while rejuvenating Al Nasr’s similar ambitions.

    Meanwhile, Al Jazira surrendered the ideal chance to keep up their title challenge after giving up a two-goal lead to be held by Al Dhafra at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.

    Abdulla Mousa and Abdelaziz Barrada had given Jazira a two-goal cushion before Makhete Diop pulled one back in the first-half for Dhafra. Barrada was then given his marching orders seven minutes into the second half for a second yellow, and three minutes later Dhafra equalised through Rogerio.

    Al Jazira’s slip allowed Al Ahli to extend their lead at the top to five points with a 2-1 win at Emirates Club.

    Captain Grafite scored his 12th league goal of the season eight minutes before the interval and Ismaeel Al Hamadi doubled Al Ahli’s lead just after the hour mark.

    German Herrera halved the deficit in injury time, but the Argentine’s strike proved nothing more than a consolation goal.

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