Al Ain 2 Al Jazira 1
Al Ain Abdulrahman 17', Gyan 32'
Al Jazira Lanzini 45+1'
Man of the match Omar Abdulrahman (Al Ain)
AL AIN // Omar Abdulrahman and Asamoah Gyan departed the pitch with arms draped across each other’s shoulders, knowing that soon enough they should have them wrapped around the Arabian Gulf League trophy, too.
Already three points clear at the top of the table heading into Sunday night’s clash with Al Jazira, their closest rivals, Al Ain rise Monday morning with advantage doubled, thanks in large part to their two prized assets.
This 2-1 victory, embellished by sublime strikes from Abdulrahman and Gyan, stretches that lead to six points, although in the cold light of day it will seem an almost unbridgeable gap.
Predictably, both parties protest that twists and turns abound – after all, eight rounds remain – but given Al Ain’s experience and expertise, a third title in four years has attached a certain formality.
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“Yes, it is a big advantage, which I actually see as seven points, because we now have a better head-to-head record,” Zlatko Dalic, the Al Ain coach said.
“However, I don’t want to think like this – I’ll tell my players that we’re in the same position as Jazira were not long ago. We must not think it is finished.
“In front of us are eight games, 24 points. We must do our best and try to win each game. Nothing ends with this result. Now, the next game against Al Dhafra will be a big game like this one today.”
It is often said that big games are defined by big players and this was no different.
In the 17th minute, Abdulrahman capitalised on a sloppy clearance by Mohammed Ghuloom, the Jazira goalkeeper, took one touch and thrashed a half volley high into the net.
The Al Ain playmaker had just been restored to the starting line-up following recent injury, and from there he took hold of the match, carrying the hosts forward at every opportunity.
When he could not, Gyan stepped forward, curling a superb effort around Ghuloom on 32 minutes to double Al Ain’s lead.
Jazira pulled a goal back on the stroke of half time, through Manuel Lanzini, but other than Mirko Vucinic’s uncharacteristic miss early in the second half, they had little to show for their endeavour.
Even when Al Ain had Mohaned Salem sent off late on, they did not look like drawing level. Still sitting second, Jazira must feel a long way from the frontrunners right now.
Eric Gerets, as tenacious a coach as he was a player, emerged from the encounter typically bullish, though. With the 2014/15 season far from finished, he has no intention of surrendering.
“You have to always hope that the enemy loses points,” he said.
“It will be difficult, but as long as we have a chance to be champions, we will think about achieving this. We know it will be difficult, but as long as there is hope, there’s life.”hieving this. We know it will be difficult, but as long as there is hope, there’s life.”
Al Ain v Al Jazira report card
Star performer Omar Abdulrahman (Al Ain) – Restored to the starting line-up, the UAE star displayed all of his qualities throughout, thumping his side into the lead before continuing to pull the strings in midfield.
Underperformer Jonathan Pitroipa (Al Jazira) – As one of his side's four foreign players, much is expected from the Jazira midfielder, although he rarely influenced the match.
Key moment Asamoah Gyan's brilliant strike on 32 minutes proved the match winner, but Jazira claimed the Ghanaian should have put the ball out of play because of an apparent injury to Khalid Sabil. As replays showed, Gyan was right to continue.
Al Ain rating 7/10 Deserved winners by dint of a clinical first-half display. Tactically astute, they should have had this victory sewed up just after half time.
Al Jazira rating 6/10 The visitors struggled until Lanzini's goal gave them hope. Will rue Vucinic's uncharacteristic wastefulness early in the second half.
Our verdict This may have been only three points, but Al Ain have taken a giant step towards the title. For Jazira, they can only hope the league leaders become distracted by dual campaigns at home and in Asia.
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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