MANAMA, 16 March — Saudi Arabian champions Al Ahli gave an outstanding performance to beat Al Shabab of the UAE 3-1 in a second-round match of the 19th GCC Clubs Championship last night at the National Stadium. Two goals from Saudi international Ibrahim Suwayed and one from Senegal’s striker Mohammed Shaikh Tiam secured the outcome for Al Ahli who moved to top of the table with six points, ahead of hosts Muharraq on goals difference. Al Ahli had back midfielder Mohammed Qahwajo from injury.
The player highly contributed to the team’s victory with his brilliant piece setting and remarkable pace. Qahwaji’s first contribution came in the eighth minute when he made a cross from a freekick which met Suwayed’s header and into the roof of the net.
The most exciting phase of the game was in the early stages of the second half when Al Shabab scored a shocking equalizer. Salim Sa’ad ended a solo run on the right flank with a superb cross and Brazilian striker Nilson Dona made his best move in the game when he beat both Saudi defenders to head past goalkeeper Tayseer Ahmed.
However, Al Ahli responded quickly and two minutes later they were back in the lead. The Saudis earned a corner kick taken by Qahwaji which reached Senegal’s Mohammed Shaikh Tamim whose right-foot shot went into the back of the net.
Belgium’s coach of Al Ahli Loca Berzovich made a substitution as Hussain Abdulghani, the Saudi international left back ame on the field and was in a superb form to threat the defense of the opposing side. With Al Ahli performing quick attacks from both flanks through Abdulghani (left) and Qahwaji (right), they wrapped up the game with a third goal that ended all hopes of the UAE team.
An unforgivable mistake by goalkeeper Juma’a Rashid to clear the ball saw Ibrahim Suwayed bounce the ball back into the back of the net.
