Cosmin Olaroiu wants improvement from Al Ahli despite President’s Cup win over Al Shaab

Arabian Gulf League champions win 3-1 and Baniyas beat Emirates 4-3 on penalties. Amith Passela reports.

Cosmin Olaroiu felt mixed following Al Ahli's victory over Al Shaab in the President's Cup quarter-finals on Friday night. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National

Al Ahli are two games away from a potential trophy double after a 3-1 win over Al Shaab in the President’s Cup quarter-finals on Friday night at Sharjah stadium to set up a meeting with Al Jazira.

Ciel, the Brazilian forward, was on target early on for the Arabian Gulf League champions. Marcos de Santana provided a glimmer of hope for Shaab when he levelled the score following Ciel’s opener.

Ahli regained the lead through Moussa Sow, but they were made to sweat until Ciel’s second goal in added time.

Shaab ended with 10 men on the pitch when goalkeeper Obaid Al Taweela was sent off for two yellow cards late on.

Ahli won their first meeting in the league 4-1 over now relegated Shaab and went into Friday night’s game having drubbed them 5-0 last week.

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“Al Ahli had more points in the league – 66 – but going by tonight’s game, we didn’t see that. There was not much difference between the two sides,” said Stefano Cusin, the Shaab coach.

Cosmin Olaroiu, the Ahli coach, said they expected a difficult game than in the league.

“Always this kind of game in the cup is difficult,” he said. “I expected it to be difficult. We start the game and created a lot of situations.

“We conceded a goal from a set-piece again during a period when we were confused. But we managed to score which helped us win the game.

“But I would have preferred to have more control and possession in the game. In the end, we won and qualified. But we have to do much better than this in the semi-finals.”

Ahli had the first crack at the Shaab goal when the UAE international Ismail Al Hammadi’s volley from a long ball from the Brazilian Everton Ribeiro ricocheted off the crossbar in the 11th minute.

However, Ahli went ahead when Ciel curled in a free kick from the left flank to the far corner of the net on 24 minutes.

They could have doubled the lead on 38 minutes had Ribeiro’s effort not been wide, rolling inches away from the far post.

De Santana nodded in a lofted pass from Ahmed Alzari to level the scores shortly before half time.

Sow, unmarked in front of the goalmouth, headed in a cross from Ahmed Khalil to regain the lead on 64 minutes, before Ciel took the game to safety from a one-on-one against Al Taweela in added time.

Baniyas 4 Emirates 3

In the other game, Baniyas got the better of Emirates 4-3 in a penalty shootout after 1-1 deadlock at the end of extra time to earn a showdown with Al Ain in the semi-final.

Mohsin Mohammed saved the first spot-kick taken by Renan Garcia, and then Mohammed Mallalah sent the fifth penalty well over the bar after Baniyas were successful from all four of their efforts – Royston Drenthe, Yousuf Jaber, Mark Milligan and Joaqiun Larrivey.

Larrivey gave Baniyas a 11th-minute lead but that was cancelled by Rodrigo Pimpao on 66 minutes.

On Thursday, Al Jazira beat Sharjah 6-5 on penalties and Al Ain defeated Al Wasl 4-2 after extra time.

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