Al Jazira 5 Emirates 0
Jazira: Mabkhout (19', 50', 70'), Leonardo (37'), Al Hashmi (84')
Man of the match: Ali Mabkhout (Al Jazira)
Ali Mabkhout moved clear as the Arabian Gulf League’s top goalscorer on Wednesday evening as Al Jazira crushed Emirates to continue their march towards a first title since 2011.
Jazira have been invincible at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium this season, winning all nine matches, scoring 27 times and conceding just twice. Ahead of hosting second-bottom Emirates, manager Henk ten Cate was eager to impress on his players the need to avoid complacency given the Ras Al Khaimah club held Jazira to a 1-1 draw in November.
The Dutchman needn’t have worried as a Mabkhout hat-trick and goals from Leonardo and substitute Ahmed Al Hashmi ensured a comfortable night’s work for the Abu Dhabi club.
Mabkhout, 26, opened the scoring in the 19th minute, heading in Ailton Almeida’s right wing cross. The UAE striker was then instrumental in Jazira doubling their lead seven minutes before the break.
Combining again with Ailton, Mabkhout latched on to the Brazilian’s throughball and rounded Ali Saqr but the Emirates goalkeeper caught his leg, forcing the referee to point to the penalty spot.
Leonardo dutifully dispatched the penalty to continue his fast start to life in the Arabian Gulf League. The Brazilian forward, signed during the winter transfer window from Asian champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, has four goals in his first six matches.
Five minutes after the interval, it was Leonardo who turned provider, cutting in from the left wing and crossing to Mabkhout, who controlled the ball before firing home.
Ailton grabbed his second assist of the match 20 minutes later, again providing a cross from the right for Mabkhout to complete his treble and claim his 23rd goal of the league campaign.
Job complete, Mabkhout made way for Al Hashmi who completed the rout six minutes from time with a fine solo effort.
Jazira move nine points clear at the top of the table with Al Ahli — 3-0 winners at Hatta in the other early kick-off — their nearest challengers in second. However, Al Wasl will have the chance to return the gap to eight points when they host Kalba on Saturday evening.
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