Dubai, February 4: Hassan Mohammad tapped in the only goal of the match to help Dubai Club pile on the misery for former champions Al Ain as the etisalat pro-league commenced following a lengthy break yesterday.
With both teams resorting to an uninspiring display, the match looked headed for a dull draw until Mohammad latched on to a slip-shod clearance from the visiting defence to fetch his side full points for only the fourth time this season.
The result took their tally to 12 points, one better than their opponents who joined newcomers Ittihad Kalba in the cellar of the 12-team table.
After a subdued opening quarter, things came alive only in the 21st minute when Al Ain skipper Ali Al Wahaibi was felled at the edge of the area by Esmail Ahmad.
Al Ain’s Brazilian recruit Elias Ribeiro stepped up to take the free kick, but stood in dismay to see his effort go way above.
Elusive goal
The visitors continued to press for an elusive goal and should have gone clear four minutes from the break, but an Omar Abdul Rahman shot was deflected wayward by his teammate Juma Saeed. Al Ain looked a more cohesive unit in the second half with Omar Abdul Rahman and Juma Saeed coming close to finding the target. But the Dubai Club defence, marshalled by the diminutive Kazim Ali, stood strong.
And when Hassan Mohammad received from Sami Anbar for the easiest of tap-ins the modest home crowd went wild with celebration sensing their grasp of full points.
–Agencies