ABU DHABI // Al Jazira ended a frustrating run of four games without a win in the Arabian Gulf League with a morale-boosting 2-0 defeat of Baniyas last night that lifted them up two places into fourth, keeping them in contention for a 2015 Asian Champions League (ACL) berth.
Abdelaziz Barrada and Abdulla Qasem set the perfect platform for Jazira, scoring inside the first 15 minutes for a 2-0 lead, and a resolute defensive display until the end saw them hold on for the three points at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.
Ali Mabkhout was chopped down by Abdulsalam Al Mukhaini, Baniyas’ Omani centre-back, and Barrada stepped forward to score from the penalty spot after just nine minutes.
The UAE international forward was the architect for the second goal six minutes later when he drew the entire Baniyas defence toward him before slipping a pass to Qasem, who was unmarked at the far post, to double the home side’s advantage.
“We played one touch and made the right movements to create many scoring chances in the first half. It was one of the best first halves we have played for a long time,” said Stefano Cusin, the Jazira assistant coach.
Jazira did well to preserve the two-goal lead to take full points, which took them to 41 points and up to fourth behind Al Ahli (58), Al Shabab (43) and Al Wahda (42) with two rounds left.
“I don’t think that we were physically down in the second half,” Cusin said when asked if the players were tired, considering they had played every week in the last two months across three different competitions.
“We have played better in the second half when there was a need, like in the ACL match against Al Rayyan of Qatar. We were trailing 2-1 and we played a great second half to win 3-2.
“The difference in winning and losing is because some games we played great but couldn’t score, and at other times we played great and scored. This is the difference between winning and losing in football.
“When you win, a lot of positives come out and that’s why it is important to keep winning. We have two games left and it is important for us to win and finish the season on a high.”
With the league title already won by Al Ahli, the chasing pack are competing for a place in next year’s Asian Champions League.
The top three finishers earn a place in the continental championship – with the third-place team likely entering the qualifying rounds.
If Ahli win the President's Cup, fourth place will also be awarded a berth.
Adnan Hamad, the Baniyas coach, said the early goals were the reason for his team’s below-par showing.
“When you are down by two goals in the first 15 minutes, everything starts to go against you,” he said. “The early penalty put my players under pressure and a second goal took the game away.”
apassela@thenational.ae
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