Iranians Majidi, Karimi and Nikbakht shine in UAE

MiddleeastFootball - Iran international marksman Farhad Majidi brought his tally to 7 goals in 6 league matches when he netted on three occasions after 20, 64 and 76 minutes, respectively, to steer Al-Wasl to a thrashing 4-1 home victory over minnows Al-Ittihad.

Closest pursuers Al-Wasl maintained the two-point gap behind Al-Ahly, now that the race for the ultimate two tickets in Group 2 starts being a two-horse affair.

However, the 6th Week’s real hero was Croat Darko Metrovic who claimed a super hat-trick after 15, 29, 39 and 67 minutes, now topping the goalscorers charts with 8 goals, to help leaders Al-Ahly trouncing relegation-bound Al-Emirates 6-0 at home, the Reds lining up their fifth league win in six matches.

Fit-again Iranian striker Ali Karimi also starred in Al-Ahly’s bombastic victory, netting a double-delight after 31 and 89 minutes, his side’s biggest victory this season so far.

In the remaining fixture of Group 2, last season’s runners-up Al-Wahda showed character and dedication when they handed hosts Al-Sha’ab a 2-0 defeat away from home to advance to the third spot on the table standing, their third league win in 6 outings.

However, it wasn’t that easy ride for the capital outfits who ended the first-half on a goalless note, before 19-year old striker Saleh Hamad edged them 1-0 up from a brilliant volley in the 63rd minute, with international midfielder Abdulrahim Juma’a securing the result 11 minutes later from a towering header after being left completely unmarked at the far post.

GROUP 2:

6th Week (09/03/2004)
· Al-Wasl – Al-Ittihad: 4-1. Alireza Nikbakht-Vahedi (6’), Farhad Majidi (20’ pen.; 64’; 76’).///// Majed Abdullah (83’).
· Al-Sha’ab – Al-Wahda: 0-2. Saleh Hamad (63’), Abdulrahim Juma’a (74’).
· Al-Ahly – Al-Emirates: 6-0. Darko Metrovic (15’; 29’; 39’; 67’), Ali Karimi (31’; 89’).

Club Pl W D L Gf Ga Pts
1. Al-Ahly 6 5 0 1 18 06 15
2. Al-Wasl 6 4 1 1 12 03 13
3. Al-Wahda 6 3 1 2 09 07 10
4. Al-Sha’ab 6 2 1 3 09 10 7
5. Al-Ittihad 6 2 1 3 07 11 7
6. Al-Emirates 6 0 0 6 04 22 0

Group 2 Top Scorers:

1. Darko Metrovic (Al-Ahly)…………………………………………………..8 goals.
2. Farhad Majidi (Al-Wasl)…………………………………..7 goals.
3. Salem Khamis (Al-Ahly)………………………………………………………..4 goals.
4. Angelo Cassiano (Al-Sha’ab)……………………………………..……3 goals.
Sheikh Diop (Al-Ittihad)…………………………………………………..3 goals.
Ali Karimi (Al-Ahly)……………………………………………..3 goals.
5. Carlos Germain (Al-Ahly)…………………………………………………..2 goals.
Mohamed Srour (Al-Ahly)……………………………………………………..2 goals.
Ricardo Silva (Al-Emirates)…………………………………………..2 goals.
Alireza Nikbakht-Vahedi (Al-Wasl)………………………….2 goals.
Ahmed Fayrouz (Al-Wasl)……………………………………………………..2 goals.