Asamoah Gyan – Al Ain Striker
Asamoah Gyan’s brace was enough to break the record for number of goals in a single UAE top-flight season but could not deliver three points as Bani Yas came from two goals down to draw 2-2 in Al Ain.
The hosts, who were reduced to 10 men when Mohammed Salem saw red for two bookings in the first half, appeared to be cruising as Gyan notched his second goal of the game in the 65th minute. It gave the Boss a 2-0 lead and was also the Ghanaian’s 30th goal of a sensational season, taking him past Albouri Lah who struck 29 times for Al Wahda in 1998-99.
Lah’s countryman Andre Senghor got his side back into the game with a close-range finish 16 minutes from time and popped up again in the 86th minute to head home the equaliser. The result sees Bani Yas reclaim their place in the top three from Al Jazira, who beat Al Shaab last Thursday.
With little resting on the game for his side, Al Ain coach Cosmin Olaroiu stayed true to his word and fielded a side that contained only four players who could lay serious claim to being in the Romanian’s first choice 11.
The lack of significance of the fixture to the hosts was also highlighted by a poor turnout from the home fans, and there was a subdued atmosphere at kick off. However the result did matter to visitors Bani Yas, as three points would all but seal their place in the Pro League’s top three.
Even so and with former boss, and current consultant, Jozef Chovanec watching on from the stands, caretaker coach Salem Ali Al Orafi decided to rest some of the players who had helped the club reach the GCC Champions League final last Wednesday.
Mohamed Abou-Treika, Christian Wilhelmsson, Nawaf Mubarak and Sultan Al Ghaferi were all given the night off as Nick Carle was recalled to a central midfield position, and Amer Abdulrahman started just off Andre Senghor.
Following an uneventful first 10 minutes, memorable only for injuries to Salem and Musallem Fayez, Haboush Saleh rattled the upright in the 15th as latched onto Carle’s intelligent pass.
However, it was the hosts who opened the scoring after Fawaz Awana paid the ultimate price for a rash challenge on Jires Kembo Ekoko in the right corner of the box. Gyan stepped up to confidently fire home from 12 yards, and the goal seem to inspire the Boss as moments later Mirel Radoi fired over.
Bani Yas were still in the game though as Senghor had a couple of chances around the half-hour mark, before their hosts were reduced to 10 men as Salem picked up his second yellow card.
Al Samawi were unable to make their advantage count before the break but there was more controversy in store as Yousef Jaber stayed on the pitch despite pulling Gyan back as he looked to latch onto a ball over the top.
The Ghana star would have had a clear sight of goal but for the Bani Yas skipper’s intervention and Olaroiu was understandably perplexed on the sideline. Gyan had a gilt-edged chance to double his side’s lead in the opening minutes of the second half, but having rounded Bani Yas keeper Mohsin Al Hashmi he screwed wide off balance.
The visitors sensed their chance to grab an equaliser but Ibrahim Saeed Masoud side-footed waywardly having been found by Haboush’s deep cross before Abdulla Sultan kept out Saleh Hamad’s fierce drive.
And with 25 minutes Gyan put the game to bed as he kept himself onside before running onto Sultan Nasser’s long ball and volleying past a stranded Al Hashmi from 25 yards.
However with 16 minutes remaining Bani Yas gave themselves a lifeline as Senghor turned the ball home after good work from Hamad on the left wing. Sultan then let a vicious strike from the Senegalese striker squirm under his body before being rescued by a flag.
But the visitors did get their equaliser with a little over four minutes left as Amer Abdulrahman turned a loose ball to the far post where Senghor rose to head home.
Source: sport360.com
