Ivkovic, Gimenez propel Bani Yas into President’s Cup semi-finals

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Both Sasa Ivkovic and Nicholas Gimenez were on target as Bani Yas ended Ittihad Kalba’s run-up in the quarter-final of the President’s Cup with a 2-0 victory on Sunday.

Both the teams put up a resolute performance as the first-half ended in 0-0 despite the efforts from each side to break the deadlock.

Neither of teams could penetrate the tight defence of each other and were kept on bay by the upbeat defenders, who were resolute to keep the sheet clean.

After the first-half, a rejuvenated Bani Yas put up a resilient show and started playing an attacking brand of football.

Thirteen minutes from the break, Ivkovic slotted home the opener in the 58th minute to break the deadlock, giving Bani Yas a vital 1-0 lead. Fifteen minutes later, Gimenez also swung into action and added one more to extend the lead to 2-0.

The two strikes in quick succession put Kalba, who were aspiring to be the first time winner of the prestigious tournament, put Kalba under enormous pressure.

Kalba tried hard to restore the parity but Bani Yas kept on attacking to put their opponents in the defending mode.

Bani Yas had qualified for quarters by beating Emirates 3-0, while the Ittihad Kalba overcame Al Orooba obstacle to reach the last eight.