Daei's superb goal helps Al Shabab coast to win

Gulf News - Iranian striker Ali Daei scored a tremendous 35-yard-goal to give his team Al Shabab the much-needed three points in their away match against Al Jazira in the first division league here yesterday.

Al Shabab increased their tally to 13 points from 15 matches, while Al Jazira remained with 20 from the same number of matches.

Al Jazira extended their poor performances of late and even the return of their captain, George Weah, from injury did not help the team from yet another humiliating home defeat.

The hosts dominated the first half, but missed two sitters - both off corner kicks from Hamad Mohammed. The first, 20 minutes into the game, came to Hussain Sabail, whose fierce header missed the goal.

The second was five minutes later when the visiting defenders cleared the ball into the path of James Debbah, the home team's other professional striker, whose shot flew over the bar.

After a barren first half, Jan Verslygn, the Al Jazira's coach, brought in Weah, 15 minutes after the breather, to strengthen his attack.

But it was Al Shabab who scored five minutes later through Daei's magnificent shot.

Ismail Rabie, the young custodian of Al Shabab and the UAE's under 20 team, came to the rescue of his team, 25 minutes after the interval, when he brilliantly blocked the first-time shot of Suhail, following another corner from Hamad.

Salim Saad, the visiting reserve striker, missed a sitter when he was sent clear with only Saeed Jumaa, the home custodian, to beat. But Jumaa made a miraculous save, 11 minutes before the end.

Salih Obaid squandered the last chance to level the scores, four minutes later, following Weah's pass inside the box. The result puts the future of Al Jazira's technical staff under a huge question mark.