Al Ahli, Al Nasr maintain unbeaten run

Al Ahli and Al Nasr sparkled over the weekend winning both their qualifying matches at the end of the second round of qualifiers for the UAE Beach Soccer League at Al Mamzar Beach Park.

Al Ahli recovered from a goal down to thrash the Bakhit Saad-led Hatta Club 7-3 and then handed out a similar 6-2 defeat to Al Shabab on Saturday with Madjer going on top of the individual score chart with another two goals.

Al Nasr too were in good form after securing a convincing 6-1 win over neighbours Al Wasl and then returned to swamp Dubai Club 8-5 the next day with former national team player Ali Hassan getting a hat-trick.

The third winner in the second round of qualifiers was Hatta Club thanks to a brace from their charismatic Bakhit Saad for a 6-2 win over Al Shabab, who had earlier scrapped off a fighting 5-4 win over Dubai Club the previous day.

At the end of two days of qualifying, Al Ahli and Al Nasr are at the top of the six-team standings with their chances bright on making the knock-out stages starting at the same venue next month.

Earlier on Friday, Al Ahli saw Fifa golden boot winner Madjer smash in a double hat-trick to help Al Ahli thrash Hatta Club 7-3. Al Nasr too had started off well with an emphatic 6-1 win against Al Wasl and Al Shabab had done just enough for a fighting 5-4 result over Dubai Club.

Madjer’s six goals was highlight of the match between strong contenders Al Ahli and Hatta Club. In fact Al Ahli started on a wrong note with former Al Shabab star Bakhit Saad giving Hatta Club the lead in the first quarter of play. But Al Ahli hit back with Madjer in full flow and Iranian pro Hussain Ahmad added one to complete an easy win.

The match between Al Shabab and Dubai Club also proved to be an exciting affair with the Al Mamzar outfit coasting to a 4-0 cushion. But Dubai Club fought back in the final period with Rami Al Mussabi scoring a brace to keep the tie alive. But Al Shabab hung on to take full points with a 5-4 result.

The tournament opener was a one-sided affair with Al Nasr being served well with national stars Ali Karim’s hat-trick and two quick goals from Abbas Ali. But it was the dimunitive Adil Rami playing a crucial role in the midfield that helped Al Nasr dominate their neighbours.

The qualifiers to decide the top three sides will run for another two weekends with the best three Dubai teams joining five other sides from the Northern emirates to decide the inaugural UAE Beach Soccer Champion at the same venue from April 11-23.

Results:

(On Friday) Al Nasr bt Al Wasl 6-1; Al Ahli bt Hatta Club 7-3; Al Shabab bt Dubai Club 5-4.

(On Saturday) Hatta Club bt Al Wasl 8-2; Al Ahli bt Al Shabab 6-2; Al Nasr bt Dubai Club 8-5.
 

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