Al Ahli retain domestic focus to defeat Dibba as Champions League final looms

Al Ahli 2-1 Dibba Al Fujairah

Al Ahli Lima 20', Khalil 55'

Dibba Kone 73'

DUBAI // Seven days out from arguably the most significant match in their history, Al Ahli retained just enough focus to cast aside Dibba Al Fujairah.

The UAE’s torchbearers on the continent, they are pretty hot domestically, too, with Saturday’s 2-1 victory at the Rashid Stadium extending Ahli’s Arabian Gulf League record this season to five wins from five games. Thus, the division’s only 100 per cent record sustains.

The three points were achieved with slightly more fuss than expected, though, especially after Rodrigo Lima and Ahmed Khalil – Ahli’s potent Asian Champions League partnership – had provided them a two-goal lead.

With the first leg of the continental showpiece against China’s Guangzhou Evergrande to come in a weeks’ time, Cosmin Olaroiu’s main marksmen look in rude health.

Lima’s first-half effort, the result of a clever spin inside the Dibba area, maintained his distinction of having scored in every appearance since the summer move from Benfica. In all, the Brazilian has 14 goals in 12 matches.

His prolificacy appears to have rubbed off on Khalil, as well. Ahli’s captain doubled their advantage 10 minutes into the second half, when he pounced on Lima’s blocked shot to drill the ball into the Dibba goal.

From there, Ahli seemed set to rack up another resounding triumph, with Walid Abbas, Everton Ribeiro, Moussa Sow and Ismail Al Hammadi going close. Yet it was left to Dibba to strike the final blow, when Bakary Kone let fly from 25 yards to haul the newly promoted club back into the game. Worryingly for Ahli, there were still 17 minutes remaining.

However, they limited Dibba’s sudden surge. Ahli, the 2013/14 champions, remain in extremely good nick; perfect preparation ahead of next Saturday’s landmark match.

Man of the match

Everton Ribeiro, Al Ahli The Brazilian has begun the season in brilliant form and was at the heart of everything Ahli did well here. His link-up play continues to impress, while he was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet.

What the managers said

Cosmin Olaroiu, Al Ahli: "Today we weren't there with our heads. In football, when you miss the chances we did, you sometimes pay a heavier price. We scored two goals, but should have scored more.

“Of course, when you have in front of you the most important game of your life, it’s hard to focus on this game. But, thank God, we won and now we look forward to Guangzhou.”

Theo Bucker, Dibba: "After seven matches we've played, today we have seen the strongest team. But I have to say congratulations to my players who had the luck and the opportunity to lose just 2-1.

“Our aim is completely different to Al Ahli’s: they are definitely looking to win the league; we are trying with everything we have to stay in the league. And if we are doing so, we’re already creating a miracle.”

The National’s verdict

As Olaroiu said, Ahli were wasteful in front of goal, but it did not matter since they always had too much quality for a commendably committed Dibba side.

After last season’s poor title defence, Ahli look certain to push champions Al Ain all the way this campaign.​

jmcauley@thenational.ae

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