Goal-fest in Abu Dhabi derby as Al Ain thrash Al Dhafra 5-2

Al Ain's Omar Abdulrahman (left) evades a tackle from Al Dhafra player.

Eastern region 'Boss' Al Ain tore apart 'Western Knights' Al Dhafra in the Round 22 Capital derby of the Arabian Gulf League at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium on Thursday.
For Al Ain, the 5-2 goal feast served as an apt preparation ahead of the AFC Champions League match on Tuesday.
Right from the start, there was purpose and urgency in Al Ain's game. The first goal in the 12th minute was all class from Al Ain striker Nasser Al Shamrani as he scored from a difficult angle despite two defenders and keeper Abdullah Sultan standing guard.
The visitors, however, leveled five minutes later through a penalty. Al Ain midfielder Mohammed Abdulrahman was found guilty of bringing down Khalid Al Hagri. And Al Dhafra striker Yassine Salhi successfully sent keeper Khalid Eisa the wrong way to make it 1-1 in the 17th minute.
The penalty decision and eventual goal offended Al Ain as they went on the attack with vengeance. Attacks flowed and goals followed.
Midfielder Ahmed Barman converted from a long-ranger. Another one came as defender Khaled Abdulrahman won a hard ball and fed Al Shamrani in front of goal. The striker, on the turn, shot past keeper Abdullah Sultan to make it 3-1 at break.
Al Ain's AFC Champions League group stage match against Saudi side Al Ahli is on Tuesday, which meant Omar Abdulrahman made way for Ibrahim Diaky. And the substitute took just 12 minutes to register his name on the scoresheet. It was a splendid pass from the left flank by Caio to Diaky, who let go a rocket to make it 4-1. Keeper Abdullah Sultan was devastated and goaded his slack defenders to concentrate on the game.
Al Ain players, however, continued to toy with Al Dhafra defence. Both teams were missing players to injury, suspension and international duty but it was the visitors, who felt the pinch more.
Lapses continued from the visitors as skipper Hamad Al Hammadi misjudged a long pass from Al Ain keeper Eisa and young Yousef Ahmed latched on to the gift to make it 5-1.
There was a consolidation goal for Al Dhafra as Hamad Al Ahbabi outran Al Ain defenders Rashed Muhayer, Mohanad Salem and Khaled Abdulrahman to volley past keeper Eisa. The result would have been lot worse for Al Dhafra but their defence came good in phases and Al Ain's Danilo Asprilla missed easy chances to score. Tough road trip this for Al Dhafra.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com