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Historic Defeat for Relegated Ajman

Relegated Ajman received a historic 0-8 defeat at the hands of hosts Al Ahli in the 19th round of the UAE Football League at Rashid Stadium here on Thursday night. Al Ahli led 2-0 at half-time.

However, defending champions Al Ahli pulled out from the title’s race right from the onset of the competition and slipped to the seventh position of the 12-side table.

The Red Knights as they are also termed, failed to make it into the knock-out stage of the AFC Champions League after receiving two home defeats and managed to collect only four points from five starts in the premier competition.

Last season, they qualified to the 2009 FIFA Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi by the virtue of winning the UF-League crown, but their international campaign ended on day one itself. They were beaten 2-0 in the pre-quarter-final from Auckland City.

Ironically, Ajman reached the final of the Etisalat Cup and will line up for honours against Al Jazira next week while top clubs like Al Ain have virtually ended their season without a local or continental silverware.

But, this is football. The tragedy started when the UAE referee Badr Abdullah awarded Al Ahli an early penalty kick and sent off Ajman’s defender Ahmed Ebrahim. Ahmed Khalil scored from the spot. Khalil himself squandered another penalty kick in the 89^th minute which could have increased the advantage to 9-0.

Ajman didn’t show any fighting spirit and the whole team went into disarray. Keeper Jamal Abdullah requested substitution after the seventh goal and attacked one of the cameramen before misbehaving at then exit gate.