Al Ahli 4 Fujairah 0
Al Ahli Khalil 38', Assaidi 44', Ribeiro 65', Jiménez 77'
Man of the match Oussama Assaidi (Al Ahli)
Al Ahli are finally looking like the team of old.
There were signs of recovery in the battling 3-3 draw with their namesakes from Saudi Arabia in the Champions League and the 1-0 loss to Tractor Sazi in Tabriz on Wednesday.
On Sunday night, the defending league champions gave further evidence of it with a convincing 4-0 win over Fujairah.
Fujairah certainly did not have their best match. Rather, their performance was a bit below their usual modest standards, but, as one Ahli supporter said, for the first time this season they were not sitting on the edge of their seats biting their nails or booing their own players.
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It was an authoritative performance from the hosts, even if it was embellished a bit by a rather amateurish defensive show by Fujairah, Madjid Bougherra and goalkeeper Ayyoub Al Marzouqi (who let the third goal slip through his hands) included.
Such a win was long overdue. A team boasting eight members of the UAE’s golden generation, a Brazil and Moroccan international, and a former Inter and Lazio star, has no business languishing in the lower half of the league table.
Ciel’s injury in the opening game of the season was a big setback, but to suggest Ahli’s woes were because of his absence would be ignoring the elephant in the room.
Bad decisions were the prime reasons for Ahli’s plight in the first half of the season. They made a bad choice bringing in Mirel Radoi, in an obvious bid to please the coach and they are still counting the costs of that decision.
Radoi decided to leave before management could decide his fate in the January transfer window, upset about being booed by the Ahli fans at home matches.
Oussama Assaidi, his direct replacement, was booed, too, by the fans in his first few appearances, but last night he showed his class with his assist for Ahmed Khalil and a beautiful solo goal.
The former Liverpool man tricked his way past two Fujairah defenders and finished off with a scorching low volley to make it 2-0 before the break.
Everton Ribeiro and Kwon Kyung-won, the other two squad newcomers in January, also did well, especially the South Korean in a new role as central defender.
With the new players finally gelling, Ahli fans can hope for a top four finish, while club management could do well to remember the age-old adage – “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.
Al Ahli v Fujairah report card
Star performer Oussama Assaidi (Al Ahli) – With an assist for Ahmed Khalil and an exquisite goal, the Moroccan international was the star of the show.
Underperformer Boubacar Sanogo (Fujairah) – Missed a great opportunity to put Fujairah ahead in the first half and looked out of sync with his teammates.
Key moment In the 35th minute, Sanogo had only Majed Naser to beat but he rushed his shot and the Ahli keeper had no problems blocking it. Three minutes later, Ahli took the lead and there was no looking back.
Al Ahli rating 6/10 Aggressive from the start, Ahli looked intent on getting their first win in six matches and they got it.
Fujairah rating 3/10 They have done well in recent times, but struggled to put up a half-decent show last night.
Our verdict Ahli seem to be rediscovering their groove and could still make a bid for a last-four finish.
arizvi@thenational.ae
