Al Ahli stun defending champions Lega Pro

Al Ahli shocked defending champions Lega Pro of Italy by a solitary to top Group A in the 3rd Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum International Under-19 Football at the Al Ahli Club ground on Wednesday.

Desperately needing at outright win to keep themselves in the running for a place in the last four stages, Al Ahli found the only goal of the evening from the penalty spot in the 72nd minute and man of the match Khalil Naseeb coolly slotted home.

The Italians, winners of this competition last year, showed a lot of composure early in the match. But the home team defence did well to defend deep within their own territory and mount counters.

Watched by Real Madrid legend Michel Salgado, 2006 World Cup winning captain for Italy Fabio Cannavaro and club Chairman Abdullah Saeed Al Naboodah, Wednesday’s shock result meant that Dubai Club’s 2-1 win over Al Wasl became an inconsequential affair as Al Ahli ended at the top of Group A with seven points leaving Lega Pro in second with six points.

Dubai had four points following their win and a draw on the opening day of the competition, while Al Wasl failed to open their account after three matches.

Salem Saif scored the opener for Dubai Club in the 27th minute and Abdullah Mattar doubled the score in the 40th minute.

But Sultan Rashid pulled one back for the club from Al Zabeel. However, in the second half, Dubai successfully managed to weather all Al Wasl attacks to end their group engagements with four points following a win and a draw.

Friday will be a rest day and the two semifinals will be played at Al Nasr Club on Saturday (April 13) followed by the third place play-off and final on April 15.

Saturday’s semi-finals look tantalising with Boca Juniors taking on Al Ahli while Lega Pro will face neighbours Valencia CF after the Spaniards had topped Group B with a clinical 4-2 shock win over the South Americans.

The annual tournament is being held under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of the Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council, with sponsorship from Emirates Airline, Kia Motors, Saif Belhasa Holdings, B360 Watches, Rayhaan Al Ghurair, Arjaan Al Ghurair, Dubai Sports Channel and DEWA.