Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: Former Real Zaragoza striker Ricardo Oliveira scored his 15th goal of the league as ACL Group A leaders Al Jazira brushed aside fellow ACL participating Al Shabab 2-0 in the UAE Pro League on Saturday.
Al Jazira, who are the only team alongside with Saudi Arabai’s Al Ittihad with all winning record in 2012 ACL, are second in the league table behind runaway leaders Al Ain who walked away with a 2-2 draw against Diego Maradona’s Al Wasl on Saturday. Despite dropping points, Al Ain leads the table by massive eight points over defending champions Al Jazira.
Al Shabab had a chance to leapfrog Al Jazira on Saturday having bagged two points less than Al Jazira but it was the in-form home team who broke the deadlock in the 48th minute through Ali Ahmed Mabkhout. Oliveira, who replaced Abdullah Qasem in the 46th minute, notched his 15th goal of the season in the 75th minute to seal the match convincingly.
Oliveira is the second highest goal scorer behind Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan who is on-loan to leaders Al Ain and has scored 17 goals.
Al Jazira could be the first team in 2012 ACL to book a place for the knockout stages when they take on Tehran giants Esteghlal on Wednesday having defeated them at their own Azadi Stadium a fortnight before. On the other hand, Al Shabab is rooted at the bottom of the Group D table with two points and will travel to Saudi Arabia to face Al Hilal in a crucial Group D tie.