Al Ain crash out of President's Cup

Andre Senghor was the hero for Pro League strugglers Bani Yas last night, as his extra time header sent Gabriel Calderon’s side into the semi-finals of the President’s Cup, at the expense of in-form Al Ain. The Senegalese striker rose highest at the end of the first period of extra time, latching on to Yousef Jaber ‘s through ball to loft a header over Dawoud Sulaiman in the Al Ain goal. It was no less than the Dubai side deserved after a superb rearguard display restricted the Pro League leaders to sporadic attempts on goal. A subdued match at Al Wahda’s Al Nahyan Stadium only occasionally sprang into life, with Al Ain looking the more likely to score, but unable to conjure up many clear-cut openings. The game began in frenetic fashion with Al Ain initially awarded a penalty inside a minute, as  Mohammed Fawzi  handled just inside the area. However, after consultation with his assistant, a free kick was awarded instead, which Ignacio Scocco fired straight at Mohammad Ghuloom in the Bani Yas goal. Bani Yas showed more of the attacking threat in the early stages, and lone frontman Senghor forced a decent save from Sulaiman. But aside from Fawzi Bashir firing over the bar as the half drew to a close, there was precious little to get excited about in an opening half notable for the high defensive line employed by Bani Yas, conscious they didn’t have to deal with the explosive pace of Asamoah Gyan. Al Ain raised the tempo as the second half began, and Mohamed Malalla Hassan drew a free kick after a promising burst down the right. Scocco fired the resulting set piece into the wall and, moments later, blasted over after being flicked through by Mohamed Malalla Hassan to sum up his, and Al Ain’s, evening up to that point. There was definitely more life about the Pro League leaders as they attacked the end occupied by their vociferous fans, and Mohamed Abdulrahman went close, firing just over after some neat build-up play. A more clear cut penalty perhaps evaded Al Ain, as the referee once again ruled an infringement to have taken place outside the area. Abdul Aziz Fayez was fouled by Adnan Al Beloshi  and replays suggested the contact was inside. A free kick on the edge of the area was all Al Ain were rewarded with, however. Mirel Radoi  squared it to Scocco but his snap-shot was blocked. Substitute Mohamed Al Saedi tested Ghuloom as the game entered it’s final ten minutes, but the Bani Yas ’keeper produced a smart save stretching to his right. Senghor had the best chance early in the first period of extra time, but blazed high and wide having been forced onto his weaker foot by the Al Ain rearguard. And it was Senghor who finally broke the deadlock, running onto Yousef Jaber long ball from the left-back position, and heading over the stranded Sulaiman, who should have stayed on his line. Despite the game going into it’s 125th minute, the Pro League leaders couldn’t find a way though a rock-solid Bani Yas defence.