‘Crazy game’ upsets Al Ahli assistant coach despite victory over Dubai

Goals from Ahmed Khalil, Ciel and a double from Luis Jimenez, but Catalin Raducan upset with players for allowing struggling Dubai back into the game.

Luis Jimenez, centre, is surrounded by Dubai players during last night’s encounter. The Chilean scored twice in the 4-2 win. Pawan Singh / The National

Al Ahli 4 Dubai 2

Al Ahli Ahmed Khalil 01', Jimenez 77', Ciel 81', Jimenez 90'

Dubai Jehad Al Hussain 63', Traore 83'

DUBAI // The way Al Ahli began this encounter, it was safe to presume recent tribulations had touched a nerve.The Arabian Gulf League leaders have endured significantly more than most this season, with their roller-coaster campaign careening through another unexpected turn this week, as it emerged the club had fielded an ineligible player against Al Dhafra in Round 13.

By the time they entertained Dubai club in last night’s opening Round-14 clash, Ahli’s six-point cushion over second-placed Al Shabab had been slashed in two. The 3-1 victory against Dhafra had been overturned, in its place the vanquished gifted a 3-0 triumph by the Football Association.

Be it some lacklustre administration – Ahli blamed a secretarial “technical error” – or the constant controversy surrounding the club, coach Cosmin Olaroiu has probably never had an easier team-talk to deliver.

“For sure, it was not easy for the players after what happened,” said Catalin Raducan, the Ahli assistant who is manning the dugout while Olaroiu serves a six-month touchline ban.

“They started motivated and wanted to win this game, but after they scored they thought it would be easy and that they would not have to push too much. It’s not easy to talk about this game, for it was a crazy game.”

Bizarre indeed. Initially it seemed pretty straightforward, with Ahli taking all of 54 seconds to let loose a little pent-up frustration. It came from Ahmed Khalil, perhaps slightly more vexed than teammates given his bit-part role thus far this season, who grabbed hold of a rare start by coolly providing Ahli with the lead.

Grafite, the Ahli captain and chief goal threat, was serving a one-match ban having accrued three yellow cards. After this week’s trauma, no doubt the club checked and cross-checked that disciplinary list.

Once behind, Dubai, ranked second from bottom, would have feared the worst. Truth be told, the predicted onslaught never came, for Ahli shot out of the blocks and then without reason slammed on the brakes.

It was only when Jehad Al Hussien levelled proceedings moments after the hour mark that Ahli sparked into life, scoring a quick-fire double through Luis Jimenez and Ciel. There was time for the teams to exchange another few blows – Dramane Traore for Dubai and Jimenez again – before Ahli emerged with their previous points’ advantage restored.

“I don’t know whether to be happy or upset,” Raducan said.

“I am happy for the three points, and I am happy because after what happened following the Al Dhafra match [the three-point deduction] when the players had won the game.

“Then I’m also happy for the reaction at 1-1. But I’m upset because today we gave Dubai the chance to come into the game. I’m sad because we didn’t look like a big team, who knew how to manage the situation.”

The situation facing Dubai will take some careful supervision, too. Third from bottom in the table, they could conclude this week propping up the rest of the division. This was defeat No 10 in 14 games; double figures when the season has just passed the halfway point in a 26-match lifespan.

While Ahli were always going to be a stretch for Umberto Barberis’s men, they realise their next league assignment – against the side one place above them in the standings – could better shape their future.

“We know within the Arabian Gulf League that there are two leagues,” Barberis said.

“Teams battling for the title and teams fighting to stay in the league. The next game is against Emirates so, for me, it’s like a semi-final of the Uefa Champions League.

“We must try to fight for our title and try to win against Emirates.”

REPORT CARD

Al Ahli - The champions began quickly, but then eased off their opponents when they should have been put to the sword. Poor from then until the final 15 minutes. 7/10

Dubai - Recovered well from an early setback, and matched their lofty rivals before slack defending ultimately cost them. Showed flashes of promise. 6/10

Luis Jimenez (Al Ahli) - Given the captain’s armband in Grafite’s absence, the Chilean playmaker made a skipper’s contribution, scoring twice and creating another.

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