Al Ahli 0 // Al Ain 4
DUBAI // Abdulhameed al Mishtiki has promised to turn things around at Al Ahli after suffering his second defeat since replacing David O'Leary at the helm of the team.
Al Mishtiki had started his reign last month with a 2-1 defeat at Dubai. Playing at home last night, Ahli crashed to a disappointing 4-0 defeat against his former club Al Ain.
"I have been here for 18 days and played only two matches," said al Mishtiki. "We have not been able to play even friendly matches. So I have not been able to pinpoint the problems with this team.
"We all know there is a problem, but it is not about one, two or three players — the problem seems to be across the board.
"So, we will prepare our team from the bottom up now. You will see a new look team. We have not been able to sort out the problems in this period, but we are going to work and hopefully put a few of the things right by the next game."
Omar Abdulrahman put Al Ain ahead in the 27th minute, placing the ball to the far corner following a neat one-two with Ali al Wahebi, who also got on the score-sheet in the 35th minute, booting home past a sprawled Ahli keeper and getting a deflection along the way.
An own goal by Abdulaziz Hussain in the 83rd minute and Elias Ribeiro's injury-time strike completed the disappointing night for the Ahli fans.
The three points helped relegation-threatened Al Ain increase the distance between them and the bottom two. With 18 points, they are four ahead of Kalba and Al Dhafra are a further two points behind, with five games remaining.
For Ahli, this was their fourth defeat in five games and they stay in eighth place with 22 points.
arizvi@thenational.ae
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
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The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
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Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
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The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
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Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
