Al Ain maintained their Arabian Gulf League title challenge by destroying Ajman 7-1 at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on Friday night.
Despite missing arguably their two most influential attacking players in Omar Abdulrahman and Asamoah Gyan, Al Ain cruised to a victory that moved them level with Al Jazira on 36 points, although the Abu Dhabi side remain top based on head-to-head record.
Two goals each from Saeed Al Kathiri and Jires Kembo Ekoko and one apiece for Ibrahim Diaky, Rashed Essa, and Miroslav Stoch ensured a comfortable night for the hosts. Boris Kabi scored for the visitors, who are languishing at 13h in the table and in serious danger of relegation.
UAE striker Al Kathiri struck his first after just five minutes before doubling his and his team’s tally 10 minutes later.
French forward Kembo-Ekoko made it 3-0 after 27 minutes and Diaky added to Ajman’s woes two minutes before half-time.
With the points all but secured, Al Ain didn’t find the target again until the 69th minute, four minutes after Kabi had pulled one back for Ajman.
Kembo-Ekoko then helped himself to a brace with four minutes left to play before winger Miroslav Stoch - on-loan from Fenerbahce - got in on the act two minutes later.
League champions Al Ahli, currently seventh and 13 points behind Jazira and Al Ain, take on Al Wasl at the Rashid Stadium in the later kick-off.
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