Gulf United beat Bani Yas for first ever win as Al Ain maintain perfect start

Gulf United wrote a new chapter in their history after securing their first-ever Pro League victory with a thrilling 3-2 win over hosts Bani Yas on Sunday in Matchweek 2.

The victory gave United their first three points in the competition during their debut season, while Bani Yas remain without a point after suffering their second successive defeat.

Willy Semedo gave United an early lead from the penalty spot in the third minute, before M. Name doubled the advantage in the 57th minute. Semedo struck again in the 68th minute to make it 3-0, while Mohamed Awad and Rocky Marciano scored for Bani Yas in the 76th and 77th minutes respectively.

The match got off to a lively start, with United awarded a penalty inside the opening three minutes after Mahamadou Camara brought down an opponent inside the box. Semedo converted the spot-kick to hand the visitors an early advantage.

The two sides exchanged attacks for the remainder of the first half, but neither was able to add to the score before the break.

Bani Yas pushed forward in search of an equaliser early in the second half, but United doubled their lead in the 57th minute when Name headed home from Adeel Wgdan Alchadli’s corner.

United continued to threaten and added a third goal in the 68th minute as Semedo found the net again to complete his brace and put the visitors firmly in control.

Bani Yas responded with a quick-fire double from two substitutes. Awad pulled one back in the 76th minute before Marciano scored just 77 seconds later to reduce the deficit to 3-2 and set up a tense finish.

United held firm in the closing stages to secure a historic victory and their first three points in the ADNOC Pro League. Semedo’s opener, timed at 2:38, was the fastest goal in the Pro League this season.

United have scored four goals from nine shots on target in the league this season, while Bani Yas have conceded seven goals across their opening two matches for the first time in their Pro League history.

Only 77 seconds separated Awadalla and Marciano’s goals, while Bani Yas had two substitutes score in the same Pro League match for the first time since October 2014.

Bani Yas have also lost their opening two Pro League matches for the second consecutive season.

Earlier, Al Ain maintained their perfect start to the ADNOC Pro League campaign with a commanding 2-0 victory over Khorfakkan in Matchweek Two.

After producing an impressive comeback against Bani Yas in the opening round, Al Ain followed it up with another three points on home soil.

Al Ain had to wait until the 36th minute to turn their pressure into the opening goal.

Kaku unlocked the Khorfakkan defence with a superb through-ball into the path of Rahimi, who timed his run perfectly before firing a first-time volley into the back of the net.

The goal gave Al Ain the breakthrough they had been searching for and shifted the momentum firmly in their favour.

Just four minutes later, Al Ain struck again to take control of the contest. Palacios unleashed a powerful effort from distance that took a slight deflection off Khorfakkan’s Ahmadou Camara, wrong-footing the goalkeeper and finding its way into the net to make it 2-0.

Two goals in the space of four minutes proved decisive, giving Al Ain a comfortable cushion heading into the interval.

Khorfakkan were unable to find a way back after the break as Al Ain managed their advantage to see out the victory and preserve their perfect start to the campaign.

The result leaves Al Ain with maximum points from their opening two matches, building on their comeback victory against Bani Yas with a more controlled performance against Khorfakkan.

Al Ain showed another side to their game in Matchweek Two. After having to fight back against Bani Yas in their opener, two quick first-half goals were enough to put them in control against Khorfakkan. Rahimi provided the breakthrough before Palacios doubled the advantage four minutes later, allowing Al Ain to manage the remainder of the contest and secure back-to-back victories.

Agencies