Al Ain came from a 0-1 down to defeat Kalba 3-1 in the gameweek two of the ADIB Cup at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium.
This win ensured Al Ain's place in the quarter-final as Al Ain had secured a 2-3 win in gameweek one to pull off a 6-3 aggregate victory after the two gameweeks.
Kalba was the dominant side in the first half, and Abunamous should have scored in the opening minutes when he cut inside but missed the gaping target. Matias Palacios replied to Kalba's pressure with a brilliant long-range strike from Matias Palacios in the 27th, which went just wide.
Yaser Alblooshi gave the visitors the advantage in the 28th minute when he latched on a world-class backheeled through pass from Nemanja Jovic to fire a lovely right-footed effort past the outstretched hands of Mohamed Bu Sanda.
Things went in favor of Al Ain in the second half as they brought level with a sublime strike from Matias Segovia eight minutes after the break. The host side completely dominated the second half and pressed to score more goals to ensure their place in the quarter-final, and they got what they wanted in the 77th minute through Mohamed Awad.
Matias Palacios set up Mohamed Awad, who cut inside the box and separated the defense with brilliant footwork before pulling off an exquisite lob to double the lead in the 77th minute.
Kalba's situation went from bad to worse as Al Ain ensured their place in the quarter-final with a third goal that killed any hope for Kalba.
Sekou Bab added the third goal in the fifth minute of the additional time when Khalid Al Baloushi passed the ball across the floor to Bab, who kept his composure and drilled the ball into the back of the net.
Send feedback
