Shabab Al Ahli hit Khorfakkan for five, join Kalba in semi-final

Shabab Al Ahli sealed their spot in the Arabian Gulf Cup semi-final after beating Khorfakkan 5-0 (9-2 on aggregate) in the second leg of the quarter-final at the Rashid Stadium on Tuesday.

The hosts got off to a quick start and snatched the lead just one minute into the game. Igor Jesus capitalised on a defensive mistake and sent the ball from the edge of the box into the corner of the net to hand his side a 1-0 lead.

Shabab Al Ahli went on looking for a second goal but were repeatedly denied by Khorfakkan keeper and defence.

However, their efforts eventually paid off, when Carlos Eduardo doubled their lead in the 43rd minute. Jesus found his fellow Brazilian team-mate on the edge of the box and Eduardo made no mistake sending the ball past the Khorfakkan keeper.

Only one minute later, Mohammed Juma netted the third to put the win beyond any doubt. Jesus assisted another goal as he sent a backheel pass to Juma who converted the ball into the back of the net, leaving Khorfakkan keeper helpless.

Substitute Ahmed Alhashmi found the back of the net in the 80th minute, as he rounded Khorfakkan keeper and slotted the ball home to further extend the hosts’ lead.

Another substitute got his name on the scoresheet, as Saeed Ahmed made it 5-0, following an impressive individual work that saw him dribble past Khorfakkan defence before tapping home with six minutes to go.

Shabab Al Ahli booked their spot in the semi-final of the competition for the ninth time in their history.

Kalba sail: Ittihad Kalba also advanced to the semi-final for the first time in their history after defeating Bani Yas 6-5 in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw (2-2 on aggregate) at Ittihad Kalba Stadium on Monday.

The guests created a good chance through Sultan Alshamsi who fired a shot from outside the box that went wide of the post just before the 10-minute mark.  

Alshamsi needed another 10 minutes to find the back of the net, as he sent a curling effort from the edge of the box into the corner of the net to put Bani Yas 1-0 up.

Peniel Mlapa nearly netted the equalizer four minutes later but his close-range shot went over the bar.

Bani Yas’ Sasa Ivkovic was shown a red card just before the half hour-mark. However, after reviewing the VAR, the referee ruled out his decision and showed him a yellow card instead.  

The Tigers levelled the scoreline in the 32nd minute.

Yaqoub Alhosani found Mansour Albloushi in the area and the latter was waiting to tap the ball home and net the equaliser.

Mlapa came close to netting his second of the night, but his effort from the edge of the box hit the woodwork.

Kalba keeper Yousif Al Zaabi pulled off a good save to deny Bani Yas from scoring a freekick in the 51st minute, before Wanderson was denied by Bani Yas keeper Ahmed Al Hosani.

Both sides failed to score further goal, as the match remained deadlocked at 1-1 and 2-2 on aggregate, forcing the game into a penalty shootout.

The Tigers went on to win the penalty shootout 6-5 to seal their spot in the semi-final of the competition, where they’ll be clashing with titleholders Al Nasr.