Shabab Al Ahli celebrate thrashing Gharafa 8-2

Following three 1-1 draws during the opening matches, the Emirati side turned things around as they met the back of the net three times in the first 45 minutes before scoring another five goals in the second half as they shocked their opponents with a thumping 8-2 victory.

 “I want to congratulate all my players. I hope we will use this as the basis to continue our winning streak in the next two games. We have improved in every match and today we were better than the last match,”

said Ali.

“We’ve had our chances in our last games but we couldn’t score. So the win and three points is very important for us because it showed that we can play well. It gives us confidence to do better.”

leveled the game two minutes after

scored the opener; however, two goals before and after half-time sent the Qatari side on a defeat path for the first time in the campaign.

“It is very difficult to comment after this result. The game was balanced when we were 1-1 but we reacted badly and they went 3-1 up. We tried to change the game in the changing room and had one chance after the break but they scored again and we lost the will to recover,”

said head coach Andrea Stramaccioni. 

The Italian tactician will now focus on the remaining two games against Foolad Khouzestan FC and Ahal FC.

“My team is very young and this shows the lack of experience. Before this match, we came from three very good games and now we must show our value against Foolad. Our group is very open so it is in our hands to change the standings in the group. We must win our next game,

” said Stramaccioni. 

With a victory, Shabab Al Ahli sit second in Group C, having earned six points. On top of that group sits Foolad while Al Gharafa are in third place now. Debutants Ahal FC is in the fourth place.

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