Al Ahli beat Al Shabab in close encounter

Visitors Al Ahli kept up their good midfield work to go home with three more points in Round 3 of the league cum knockout Arabian Gulf Cup encounter, this time against hosts Al Shabab who were close to snatching a draw, late Thursday night.
The green shirts levelled terms but a Rodrigo Lima penalty and an Asamoah Gyan double strike took the Red Knights to six points and the leadership in Group B after Friday night's 3-2 victory.
Al Shabab defender Mohammed Ayed was pulled down roughly and Luvannor Henrique placed the spot-kick past Saif Yousif to go 1-0 up in the fourth minute.
At the other end, Luvannor fouled Asamoah Gyan just inside the area, and skipper Lima made no mistake to make it 1-1 in the 17th minute.
Al Ahli went ahead in the 35th minute of the closely fought duel as former Al Ain star Gyan taking advantage of a beautiful Everton Ribeiro pass to calmly place the ball past the onrushing keeper Hassan Hamza (2-1).
Al Ahli came close to consolidating the half time lead but the Shabab defenders and Hamza denied them of the chance of enjoying a two-goal cushion. The Salmin Khamis header nine minutes into the second half was sent out in brilliant fashion by Hamza.
Al Shabab found Luvannor in his elements again in the 61st minute when he gave the finishing touches after Dawood Ali assisted him with a one-two (2-2).
Hamza was called upon to make another one of his many saves when young Waleed Ambar was denied the space and angle in the 81st minute, hardly five yards from the goalline. In stoppage time Gyan headed powerfully home off a corner kick (3-2).
moni@khaleejtimes.com