Al Jazira beat Shabab Al Ahli to go second; Al Wahda in 3rd

Khalfan Mubarak’s late goal secured a critical 2-1 win for Shabab Al Ahli against Al Jazira, at Rashid Stadium in matchweek 16 of the Arabian Gulf League on Thursday night.

The game started with a bang, when Ali Mabkhout opened the scoring just four minutes into the game. The veteran striker finished Abdullah Ramadan’s through pass into the back of the net.

Shabab Al Ahli found the equaliser in the 11th minute, when Eid Khamis’ accurate cross was met by Luvannor Henrique, whose header left Ali Khaseif helpless.

Ahmed Abdullah was shown a second yellow card in the 57th minute, compelling the hosts to play the remaining minutes with 10 men.

However, that advantage was neutralised as Al Jazira’s Bruno was sent off in the 78th minute, just seven minutes after coming on as a substitute, for his careless tackle on Majed Hassan.

Just one minute ahead of the fulltime whistle, Mabkhout released Khalfan Mubarak behind Shabab Al Ahli’s backline. The number 10 finished the ball past Nasser with a clever lobbed shot to snatch a very late victory.

The win takes Al Jazira to the second spot with 30 points before facing Khorfakkan in the next fixture. Meanwhile, Shabab Al Ahli remain on top of the league table with 36 points before their away trip to face Bani Yas in matchweek 17 of the Arabian Gulf League.

In the other late match on Thursday, Cleylton’s header made the difference as Hatta defeated Kalba 1-0, at Kalba Union Sports & Cultural Club Stadium.

The win takes Hatta to the 12th position with 12 points before hosting Al Ain. Kalba, however, remain 11th with 13 points ahead of their away clash against Fujairah in matchweek 17.

Earlier, Sebastian Tagliabue scored a brace as Al Wahda thrashed Bani Yas 3-0 ,at Al Nahyan Stadium in matchweek 16 of the Arabian Gulf League.

The Clarets got off to a fiery start, when they took the lead in the 22nd minute through an own goal by Amer Al Hammadi. The player converted Tahnoon Al Zaabi’s low cross into the back of Fahad Al Dhanhani’s net.

Al Wahda continued to push forward and in the 27th minute they were awarded a penalty kick after Sebastian Tagliabue was obstructed inside the box by Sasa Ivkovic. The number 11 sent the ball home from the spot to make it 1-0.

Just six minutes later, Tagliabue completed his brace as he finished Rim Chang-woo’s accurate cross past Dhanhani with a clever header following a howler from the goalkeeper.

The Sky Blues didn’t respond until the 58th minute, when Luiz Antonio tried his luck from a long way out, however, his effort was saved by Mohammed Al Shamsi.

10 minutes ahead of the fulltime whistle, Khalil Ibrahim released Tagliabue behind Bani Yas’ backline, however, the striker skied it over the crossbar.

The win takes Al Wahda to the third spot with 29 points ahead of their encounter against Al Nasr. Meanwhile, Bani Yas sit ninth with 20 points before hosting Shabab Al Ahli in matchweek 17.

In another match, Joao Pedro scored late as Al Dhafra defeated 10-man Al Nasr 2-1, at Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Stadium in matchweek 16 of the Arabian Gulf League on Thursday.

Al Nasr suffered a blow in the 67th minute, when Yaqoob Al Baloushi was sent for an early shower after committing a second bookable offense against Joao Pedro.

Al Dhafra capitalized on the numerical advantage immediately, when Suhail Al Mansoori sent a brilliant cross towards Bawazir, who finished calmly into the back of the net, to make it 1-0 in the 69th minute.

15 minutes before the fulltime whistle, Esteban Pavez leveled things up for the Blues. The Chilean smashed the ball into the bottom corner after a great setup by Negredo.

Al Dhafra restored their lead in the 83rd minute through Pedro, who slotted the ball from a close range to take advantage of Shambieh’s howler after he failed to handle Bawazir’s crossed freekick.

Following the game, Al Dhafra moved to the sixth spot with 26 points and will face Ajman in the next fixture. On the other hand, Al Nasr dropped to the seventh spot with 24 points ahead of their clash against Al Wahda in matchweek 17.