Sharjah: Dibba recorded a shock 3-1 win over Al Jazira in the first leg of the Arabian Gulf Cup (AGC) quarter-final at Ittihad Kalba Stadium.

The first half was relatively calm, marked with few chances and inefficient finishing from both teams, as both goalkeepers were on top form, and the defence stood strong.

The second half, However, was very different, and four goals were scored.

Ahmed Rashed slid in to convert in the curved cross from Yaseen Mahmoud to break the deadlock three minutes into the second half.

The duo combined again to double Dibba’s lead an almost identical fashion 12 minutes later. Mahmoud advanced from the left wing, sending an accurate cross that met Rashed’s head and whistled into the net. With eight minutes to the 90, Mahmoud completed his trio of assists, passing the ball in the 18-yard-box to Driss Fettouhi, who blasted the ball into the roof of the net, to extend Dibba’s lead.

The visitors responded within two minutes when Zayed Al Ameri advanced through the defenders and attempted a low finish which was parried by Dibba’s Fahd Mohamed into the path of Romarinho to find the net from the rebound. It would prove to be merely consolation as Dibba walked away with a valuable victory.

Al Jazira will need to reverse a two-goal disadvantage when the two sides meet in Abu Dhabi in mid-February for the second leg.

Shabab Al Ahli Dubai win

Shabab Al Ahli Dubai surged to an easy 3-0 win over Hatta in the first leg of the Arabian Gulf Cup quarter-final at Shabab Al Ahli Stadium in Al Awir.

The first goal of the game came in the 26th minute from Shabab Al Ahli, when Abdelaziz Ali took advantage of Hatta’s high defensive line to send a pinpoint cross from the left wing, which was stabbed in off the crossbar by Luvannor Henrique to put the visitors in front by the end of the first half.

Shabab Al Ahli started the second half with more pressure, dominating the ball possession, but Nizar Mahrous’ men almost snatched the equaliser in the 51st minute, when Abdulla Ali shot the ball past Majed Naser but his effort went on the wrong side of the post.

Five minutes after the hour mark, Shabab Al Ahli extended their lead. Henrique was able to skip past three players, before delivering a pass to Waleed Ambar who placed it into the bottom corner.

Mahdi Ali’s side added their third of the night to round off the scoring in the 75th minute when another Ali cross was calmly finished into the near post by Saud Ali.

The Hurricanes will face an uphill battle to reverse the result when they visit Shabab Al Ahli in the second leg in mid-February.