Al Jazira stay on top with Hatta win; Shabab Al Ahli rally to hold Ajman

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Al Jazira maintained their position at the top of the Arabian Gulf League standings after edging Hatta 1-0 at Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium in matchweek 20 on Thursday.

Ali Mabkhout, who collected the Player of the Month Award for February ahead of kick-off, continued his fine run of form, as he converted from the spot in the 39th minute, scoring what turned out to be the only goal of the game.

Hatta went in search of an equaliser in the second half, and had a number of chances to level the scoreline but were repeatedly denied by keeper Ali Khasief.

After dropping points against Shabab Al Ahli, Al Jazira bounced back with an important win that consolidated their place at the top of the standings with 44 points.

Meanwhile, Hatta failed to keep the momentum alive after beating Fujairah midweek, as they linger at the bottom of the standings with eight points.

Shabab Al Ahli, Ajman play draw Jaloliddin Masharipov canceled out Bubacarr Trawally’s opener as Ajman played out a 1-1 draw with Shabab Al Ahli at Rashid Bin Saeed Stadium in matchweek 20 of the Arabian Gulf League on Thursday.

Shabab Al Ahli controlled possession during the first half and missed a golden chance to break the deadlock when Ajman keeper Ali Al Hosani saved Masharipov's penalty kick in the 39th minute.

It was Ajman who found the back of the net two minutes later, through a quick counterattack that saw Bubacarr Trawally tap the ball home.

Shabab Al Ahli leveled the scoreline just six minutes after the restart, as Masharipov's left-footed strike nestled into the back of Al Hosani's net to level the scoreline at 1-1.

While both sides entered the match with hopes of collecting the three points for different objectives, they settled for a share of spoils that hindered Shabab Al Ahli from moving into the top four, leaving them fifth with 34 points.

Ajman risk dropping into the relegation zone as they now have 11 points in 12th place.