Shabab Al Ahli moved top of the ADNOC Pro League table with a dominant 5-0 victory over Al Dhafra on a festive Ramadan night at Hamdan Bin Zayed Stadium.
The Dubai-based side produced a ruthless attacking display to claim three crucial points, lifting them to 41 points at the summit, while Al Dhafra remain 10th on 17 points.
The visitors needed just nine minutes to break the deadlock. Breno Cascardo Lemos surged down the left flank, gliding past two defenders before unselfishly squaring for Mohammed Almansoori, who tapped into an empty net to give Shabab Al Ahli an early advantage.
Al Dhafra struggled to contain the visitors’ intensity, and just before the interval Saeid Ezatolahi doubled the lead. The midfielder kept his composure in stoppage time of the first half, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to put his side firmly in control.
Shabab Al Ahli continued to press after the restart and were rewarded with a moment of quality as Guilherme Da Silva produced a sublime strike that flew beyond the outstretched hands of goalkeeper Amjad Alsayed to make it 3-0.
The fourth arrived soon after, as Shabab Al Ahli capitalised on defensive lapses to extend their advantage with a clinical close-range finish, effectively ending any hopes of a comeback.
Almansoori then completed his brace in the 77th minute. Sardar Khalil Azmoum showed neat footwork inside the area before squaring the ball for Almansoori, who calmly slotted home to seal an emphatic 5-0 win.
The result strengthens Shabab Al Ahli’s title charge as the season enters a decisive phase, while Al Dhafra will need a swift response to steer clear of trouble in the lower half of the table.
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