ABU DHABI // Makhete Diop struck the only goal of the game to inflict a second cup elimination for Al Jazira in successive games as Al Ahli booked their place in the Arabian Gulf Cup final.
Coming after a 6-0 thrashing at the hands of city rivals Al Wahda in the President’s Cup quarter-finals last week, Jazira were beaten by Al Ahli 1-0 in the Arabian Gulf Cup semi-final at the Mohammed bin Zayed stadium on Monday night.
Diop was well placed in front of the goal to head home a cross from Abdulaziz Haikal for the visitors after 19 minutes.
Jazira had the ball in the back of the net midway through the second half but Ahmed Al Hashmi was offside when Ali Mabkhout knocked in a rebound after Ailton Almeida’s strike ricocheted off the post.
Jazira manager Henk ten Cate claimed at the post-match press conference that it was a legitimate goal.
“I saw the images on TV and it was absolutely not offside,” he said. “We can’t complain but we just need to take it as a decision that went against us.
“So, we were unlucky on the night.”
The Ahli defence was outstanding. They did not allow the Jazira attack to settle or create space with their tight marking and coordination after they took the lead.
Jazira forward Mabkhout did go close but his close-range header was headed away by Ahli defender Mohammed Jaber.
“We lacked discipline in the first half,” Ten Cate said. “We had a decent second half where we controlled the game but didn’t get to create many chances. We lacked creativity and that’s a problem.”
Before the match, Ten Cate said he would not use the absence of Moroccan playmaker Mbrak Boussoufa as an excuse for his team’s failings. After a second cup elimination is as many matches, the Dutchman conceded that Boussoufa, with his national team for the Africa Cup of Nations, is being missed.
“The results of the last two games suggests that,” Ten Cate said. “We don’t have to know more about football to understand this but we have to cope with it for the next few games.”
Ahli manager Cosmin Olaroiu was delighted of the result and stated it was an important win under the circumstances they were in — with several key players either serving suspension or injuries.
“Tonight, my players showed real character,” he said. “I want to thank my players for the sacrifices they made by getting on to the pitch.
“We fell a bit back after taking the lead but we defended well, particularly in the second half.”
apassela@thenational.ae
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