Ahli's Young Stars Breakthrough After 22 Attacking Attempts, Defeat Khorfakkan

Al Ahli Youth secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Khor Fakkan in the UAE Pro League's eighth round, with Guilherme Bala scoring a late winner in the 87th minute. The win moves Al Ahli Youth to 17 points while Khor Fakkan remains stuck on 8 points, highlighting the growing gap between the league's stronger and weaker sides.

The match perfectly captured the frustrations of modern football. Al Ahli Youth dominated possession with nearly 65% of the ball and fired 22 shots at goal, including 6 on target. But they had to wait until the final minutes to break through Khor Fakkan's stubborn defense.

Khor Fakkan goalkeeper Ahmed Hamdan Al Hosani kept his team in the game with several brilliant saves. He denied at least two clear-cut chances in the first half, including a spectacular volley from Yuri Cesar in the 7th minute and a dangerous effort from Cartabia three minutes later.

The home side's defensive approach nearly paid off. They barely troubled Al Ahli Youth goalkeeper Hamad Al Maqbali in the first 45 minutes, focusing instead on staying compact and hitting on the counter.

But Khor Fakkan's limited attacking threat became obvious as the game wore on. Their best chances came in the second half when Ailton set up Lorenzi for a comfortable finish in the 54th minute, only to see the opportunity wasted. Ailton himself missed an even easier chance just a minute later.

Al Ahli Youth's persistence finally paid off when Guilherme Bala struck from outside the penalty area with three minutes remaining. The shot caught Al Hosani off guard and found the back of the net, ending what had been a frustrating evening for the visitors.

The result reflects the current state of the UAE Pro League, where established clubs like Al Ahli Youth are pulling away from smaller teams. Khor Fakkan's defensive tactics worked for 87 minutes, but their lack of attacking quality ultimately cost them a valuable point at home.

For Al Ahli Youth, the victory keeps them in the upper half of the table as they continue their push for a strong finish this season. The late winner will boost confidence, even if their finishing needs improvement after wasting so many clear opportunities.