Debbah revives Jazira
hopes
Dubai |By Sayed Ali | 04-05-2002
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Action from the football league match played between Al Wasl and Al Jazira
played at Al Wasl Club in Dubai. © Gulf News
Al Wasl 0 Al Jazira 2
Al Ittihad 2 Al Ahli 1
Al Jazira revived their hopes of winning the league title for the first time
in the club's history by defeating Al Wasl 2-0 at the latter's stadium in
Dubai yesterday.
Liberian James Debbah was Al Jazira's hero in their tough away clash. He
scored the two goals and caused trouble to Wasl defence during the 90
minutes. Debbah's compatriot George Weah sat on the bench as his coach
rested him for the crucial match next week against leaders Al Ain.
Jazira have 37 points and two matches left. If they beat Al Ain and Al
Ittihad, while Al Ain lose to Wasl in the league's last week, Jazira will be
equal on points with Al Ain. A decisive match will settle the issue.
Al Jazira entered Wasl stadium realising that only a win will keep their
title hopes alive. They attacked from the beginning through Hussain Suhail,
Debbah, Muhsin Saad, with Yousuf Abdul Aziz and Yousuf Hasan from the
flanks.
James Debbah succeeded in scoring Jazira's first goal just nine minutes from
kick off. Hasan Suhail crossed from the left and Debbah, with his back to
the goalkeeper, deceived him, turned and fired a left-footer to the left
corner of an empty net.
Iranian Farhad Majiedi was alone at the Wasl front line due to the absence
of Chilean Cristian Montecinos, who is serving a three-match ban. Farhad
tried his best to break through the Jazira defence, but in vain.
Ahmed Salim, the Wasl custodian, denied Debbah from adding the second in
22nd minute, when he tipped his shot to the corner. Khalid Darwish responded
to Wasl when he went past three defenders, but shot wide. Wasl launched some
attacks, but Tariq Hasan, Hamad Guloom, Khalid Darwish missed three chances
in 29, 43, and 45 minutes.
Wasl stormed back in the second session. They pressed against Al Jazira
goal, but did not threaten Ahmed Ali, the Jazira keeper. Bakhit Obaid,
Farhad, Guloom, squandered good chances and Ismail Rashid missed a sitter
infront of Jazira goal in the 59th minute.
Wasl coach Dutch Boskamp brought in young strikers Tariq Darwish and Ahmed
Khalfan to add more fire to his front line. However, Jazira's experienced
defenders Mohammed Salim, khalid Zayed, Khalaf Salim were rock solid infront
of Wasl attacks, which lacked the final touch infront of Jazira goal.
Tariq Hasan's powerful attempt went just near the post before Debbah hit the
second gaol for Jazira in the 88th minute. Capitalising on Yousuf Abdul
Aziz's long pass behind Wasl defenders, Debbah went past the advancing Wasl
keeper and rammed the ball inside the empty net.
In the second match played at Kalba stadium at the eastern coast, Al Ittihad
defeated Al Ahli 2-1 and made an important step away from relegation. On the
other hand the defeat denied Al Ahli of reaching the fourth place to play in
the Super League.
Ibrahim Mohammed (30 minute), Ahmed Issa (74) scored for Ittihad, and Shihab
Abdullah scored for Ahli (13). Ittihad became ninth with 20 points, while
Ahli stayed sixth with 27 points. |
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