AGL: Seven Star Al Ahli

Dubai - The Red Knights complete their coronation as champions with a 5-0 win over Al Shaab

Sunday was one of celebrations, Al Ahli's coronation as champions. After winning this season's Arabian Gulf League with two games to spare, the Red Knights strolled out on to the lush green pitch of the Rashid Stadium for their final League fixture of the season.
They took on already demoted Al Shaab after which Al Ahli were presented with the glistening Arabian Gulf League shield in what was a glittering ceremony.
Their fortress in Al Quasis was decked up in red with banners reading "Al Ahli 7 Stars," to indicate their seventh League title.
 
___________________________________________________
 
Al Ahli 5
(Goals: Salmin Khamis 41, Moussa Sow 45, 78, Everton Ribeiro 61, Ciel 85. Yellow cards: Ismail Al Hammadi 37, Humaid Abbas 45)
Al Shaab 0
(Yellow cards: Ibrahim Qambar 23, Shavkatjon Mulladjanov 63)
 
____________________________________________________
And as has always been the case, there was a decent turn-out of the Al Ahli faithful, wearing the club's colours, Apart from record League winners Al Ain, the Red Knights are the only other club that enjoys a massive following.
The Red Knights then capped a fine season in the League with a 5-0 win over Al Shaab. With their 21st win, Al Ahli also broke their own record of points scored with 66. The previous best was 64 they had set in the 2013-14 season.
The main focus was on the celebrations and the festivities that were to come later but still there was the small matter of a match to be played.
 

With the celebrations in mind, not surprisingly, it was a rather tepid opening or so until Humaid Abbas flashed one wide inside the 10 minutes.
A little later, Moussa Sow's attempt from a tight angle after a chip from Ismail Al Hammadi, was palmed away by Al Shaab goalkeeper and captain Obaid Altawila.
Al Shaab only had back-to-back corners to show, while Sow threatened again but his foray was thwarted.
The Red Knights were playing at half pace with Ahmed Khalil, Khamis Ismail and Majed Hassan all watching proceedings from the stands. But still, it was pretty much one-way traffic.
Sow came up with a solo on 37 minutes but the defence came up with a goalline save after the ex-Fenerbahce striker had shot from a tight angle. Sow then flashed the resultant corner way over the cross bar.
Al Ahli broke the stalemate four minutes later with a neat header and then did a little jig. He then ran near the stands and bowed to Ahmed Khalil.
The second was to come from a penalty after Ismail Al Hammadi bursting run down the left was stopped by Talal Mubarak. Sow was spot on from the spot after which the entire team ran towards the stands and had a bit of fun by pouring water on Majed Hassan.
The Red Knights duly added a third after a defensive lapse from Ibrahim Qambar saw Ciel steal the ball and dart down the right before squaring it for Everton Ribeiro. The Brazilian international kept his composure to slot it home.
Sow, then completed his brace with his second on 78 minutes to take his tally to 14 League goals this season.
A fifth was to come from a penalty with Ciel scoring from the spot on 85 minutes after Talal Mubarak had handled the ball.
 james@khaleejtimes.com