Shabab Al Ahli outlasted Al Jazira, securing a tight 3-2 win at the Rashid Stadium on a vibrant Sunday night during matchweek 18 of the ADNOC Pro League.
The win elevates Shabab Al Ahli's position in the league, amassing a total of 37 points and ascending to the second spot. Conversely, Al Jazira remain at 21, positioning them in the eighth spot in the standings.
The game commenced with both teams showing strong ambition in midfield, setting the stage for an intense match. Shabab Al Ahli swiftly transitioned from midfield dominance to attacking prowess, exposing Al Jazira's defensive lapses.
This strategic shift bore fruit early on when Munas Dabbur, evading the defenders, converted a meticulously delivered cross from Bader Nasser into the game's opening goal within the first five minutes. Not long afterward, Igor Jesus Da Cruz extended the lead for Shabab Al Ahli, capitalizing on a seamless assist from Dabbur, intensifying Al Jazira's challenge.
Refusing to buckle under pressure, Al Jazira orchestrated a comeback, culminating in Khalfan Mubarak's precise free-kick goal just before the close of the first half, injecting hope and reducing the deficit.
The match's momentum swayed in the second half as Shabab Al Ahli adopted a conservative approach, paving the way for Al Jazira to launch aggressive offensive forays in pursuit of leveling the scores.
Their efforts were rewarded with a penalty in the 80th minute, following a foul on Abdullah Idrees. Khalfan Mubarak, true to form, converted the penalty, marking Al Jazira's second goal and setting the stage for a gripping finale.
Despite Al Jazira's intensified attacks in the closing moments, Shabab Al Ahli managed to preserve their lead, securing a gripping 3-2 victory.
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