Laba Kodjo’s brace steered Al Ain back to winning ways with a 2–0 victory over Kalba in matchweek nine of the ADNOC Pro League on Saturday.
The result lifts Al Ain to the top of the table on 23 points, while Kalba remain ninth with 11.
Al Ain created the first clear opening after 12 minutes when Kaku delivered a precise low cross into the penalty area, picking out Laba Kodjo unmarked.
The striker made good contact but somehow steered his effort into the side netting, missing a golden opportunity with the goal at his mercy.
Two minutes later, Matías Palacios surged down the right flank and whipped in another dangerous delivery towards Kodjo.
Rising freely inside the box, the forward was unable to capitalise again, sending his effort over the crossbar as Al Ain continued to apply early pressure.
Kalba registered their first meaningful response in the 22nd minute when Leandro Spadacio Leite broke forward on the left and produced a dangerous cross into the area.
Ahmad Noorollah met it with a first-time volley, but his effort sailed narrowly over the bar.
Al Ain’s sustained pressure eventually told after 26 minutes. Sultan Al Manthari advanced to intercept an inviting cross from Palacios, but a mistimed jump allowed the ball to drop loose inside the box.
kodjo reacted quickest, calmly rolling the ball into the unguarded net to give the hosts a deserved lead.
The Togolese striker doubled his tally just two minutes after the restart, capitalising on a perfectly weighted through ball from Palacios.
Kodjo drove forward, skipped past his marker and drilled a powerful low finish beyond the outstretched hands of Al Manthari.
Kodjo went close to completing his hat-trick in the 55th minute, but his effort struck the post as Al Ain continued to threaten.
Kalba almost pulled one back in the 77th minute when Shahriyar Moghanloo rose highest in the box, only to see his powerful header crash against the woodwork.
Three minutes later, Moghanloo was denied again, this time by goalkeeper Khalid Eisa, who produced a sharp save to preserve Al Ain’s clean sheet.
Al Ain saw out the closing stages to preserve their two-goal advantage, with Kalba unable to find a way back into the contest.
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