Shabab Al Ahli jump to 2nd spot with 3-1 win over Dibba

Shabab Al Ahli players celebrate a goal during their match against Dibba. (Supplied photo)

Shabab Al Ahli jumped to second place after earning a 3-1 win over Dibba in the Arabian Gulf League on Friday, a press release said. Shabab Al Ahli looked more dangerous midway through the first half, with attempts from Walid Abbas and Ahmed Khalil being saved by the Dibba keeper Abdulla Sultan.
The pressure and chances were eventually converted into goals when Mauro Diaz found the back of the net in the 35th minute. Following a defensive mistake, the ball fell to the Argentine midfielder who fired past Sultan to give his side a 1-0 lead.
As Shabab Al Ahli seemed to be taking a 1-0 advantage into the break, the Sailors levelled the scoreline. Yousef Al Rawashdeh found Yaseen Mahmoud's cross inside the box before heading the ball through the keeper's legs to net the equaliser two minutes before halftime.
The hosts started the second half in a different manner and went 3-1 up only 10 minutes after the restart. Walid Abbas regained the home side's lead five minutes into the second half. Following a defensive howler, Abbas slotted home to give his side a 2-1 lead.
Only six minutes later, Ahmed Khalil netted a third for Shabab Al Ahli to further extend their lead. Khalil's free-kick deflected off a Dibba player before nestling into the right corner of the net.
To add insult to injury, the Sailors were reduced to 10 men in 88th minute, when Ahmed Ibrahim was sent off for a second booking. Shabab Al Ahli now jump to second place on 38 points, while Dibba linger at the bottom on eight points.
Meanwhile, Yousef Al Hammadi netted the winner as Bani Yas defeated Emirates Club 3-2 in an intense five-goal thriller at Emirates Club Stadium in another match on Friday.
The game started off in an electrifying fashion, when Leroy George released Michael Ortega with a defense-splitting through pass. The Colombian slotted the ball into the bottom corner to grab an early lead for Bani Yas just 16 minutes into the game.
George was once again at heart of attack for the Sky Blues, as he received the ball up the right wing.
However, his cross was handled by Ahmad Malalla inside the box, compelling the referee to point to the spot. Pedro Conde sent the ball home from the spot to double the lead in the 34th minute.
Two minutes ahead of the break, Saber Khalifa pulled one back for Emirates as he smashed the ball into Fahad Al Dhanhani's top corner, after capitalising on Robson De Paula defensive howler.
The Falcons completed the quick comeback in the dying moments of the first half. Marcos Antonio brilliantly controlled Ali's long-range miscued strike before finishing it calmly into the back of the net.
The hosts suffered a huge blow in the 50th minute, as they were reduced to 10 men after Abdulla Musa received a straight red card following his mistimed challenge on Haboosh Al Nofeli.
Around 14 minutes later, the Sky Blues capitalised on their numerical advantage. George grabbed his second assist of the night when he cut inside and sent an in-swinging left-footed low cross towards Al Hammadi, whose header crept into the bottom corner past Ali Saqr.
After the win, Bani Yas moved to the fifth spot with 33 points ahead of their anticipated clash against Sharjah next week. Meanwhile, Emirates remain in the 13th spot with just 12 points.
On Thursday, Sharjah keeper Adel Alhosani impressed as the King escaped with a 0-0 draw against Ajman at Rashid bin Saeed Stadium on Thursday.
This marked the King's fifth draw this season as they dropped two points in the title race but remained on top with 47 points, nine above second-placed Al Ain.
Meanwhile, Ajman earned a valuable point to sit eighth, tied on 24 points with seventh-placed Al Dhafra.