Second half substitute Mehdi Gheyadi scored a brace in an enthralling 4-3 win for Shabab Al Ahli against visiting Sharjah in the closing game of ADNOC pro league fourth round entitled “projects of the 50”, on Saturday.
The 22-year-old Iranian scored at either end of the second half steering Shabab Al Ahli to earning full points following last week's 1-1 draw against Al Orooba.
Gheyadi's two strikes made all the difference in the end as coach Mahdi Ali's team hauled themselves above Sharjah and into third place with ten points.
It was the Brazilian winger Bernard Duarte who turned 29 earlier this month, who gave the visitors a perfect start in the very first minute when he guided a cross from countryman Luan Pereira.
Shabab Al Ahli fought back just three minutes into the second half when Ghayedi converted a perfect ball from Mohammad Juma Eid for the equaliser.
Ten minutes later, Pereira turned i to a provider for a second time on the night when his pull-back had Caio Lucas drilling in a low shot that settled in the left corner of Hassan Hamza’s net.
However, three minutes after the hour mark, the home side drew level for the second time after skipper Walid Abbas was brought down inside the area and Igor Jesus Da Cruz made it 2-2 from the penalty spot.
Sharjah continued pressing and took the lead once again when Congo striker Ben Malango netted his fourth goal in as many games this season with a low strike from an acute angle.
Just when it looked like Sharjah were headed for full points, an unfortunate diving clearance from defender Salim Sultan found the far corner of his own net with goalkeeper Adel Al Hosani stranded in the middle of his goal.
And just when it looked like a stalemate for a second time in as many weeks for Shabab Al Ahli, Gheyadi maneuvered his way through the heart of the Sharjah defence and placed the ball into the far left of Al Hosani’s goal gifting his side an extremely precious home win.
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