Al Jazira stay on top, Khorfakkan thump Al Dhafra

Milos Kosanovic’s late goal secured an important point for Al Jazira, as they played out a 1-1 draw with Shabab Al Ahli at Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium in matchweek 19 of the Arabian Gulf League.

No real goal scoring chances were created in the first half, which ended in a goalless draw. However, the second half was a different story, with both sides seeking to snatch the three points.

While the home side controlled the possession after the break, it was the guests who broke the deadlock on the one-hour mark. The ball fell to Carlos Eduardo after impressive teamwork, as the Brazilian midfielder tapped home to hand Shabab Al Ahli a 1-0 advantage.

As Shabab Al Ahli seemed to be edging closer to the three points, Al Jazira made a late comeback to secure a point. Milos Kosanovic snatched the equalizer in the second minute of injury time off a free kick, while Shabab Al Ahli’s Majed Hassan was sent off for a second booking, as both sides settled for a share of the spoils.

The Pride of Abu Dhabi remain at the top of the standings with 41 points. Meanwhile, Shabab Al Ahli moved temporarily to fourth place with 33 points.

Hatta edge past Fujairah: Hatta earned a valuable 1-0 victory over Fujairah in an important bottom-of-the-table clash at Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium in matchweek 19 of the Arabian Gulf League.

While the hosts were slightly the better side in the first half, both teams failed to create real goalscoring chances in the first 45 minutes.

Hatta suffered a blow when they were reduced to 10 men after Dostonbek Khamdamov was sent off following a second booking in the 73rd minute.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, it was the home side who broke the deadlock five minutes from time, as Jonathas Cristian converted from the spot to score what turned out to be the winning goal.

Fujairah’s Ali Eid found the back of the net in the 91st minute from a perfect volley, but his effort was ruled out for offside after reviewing the VAR.

After earning their second win of the season, Hatta revived their hopes of remaining at the top flight as they now have 8 points, two behind Fujairah who remained in 12th place.

Khorfakkan hit Al Dhafra for five: On Sunday, Raphael Guimaraes ‘Dodo’ netted a brace to help Khorfakkan cruise to an impressive 5-1 victory over Al Dhafra 5-1 at the Saqr Bin Mohammad al Qassimi Stadium.

Khorfakkan got off to a quick start when Dodo netted two quick-fire goals in the 3rd and 6th minute to hand the home side a 2-0 lead.

Ramon Lopes bagged Khorfakkan’s third goal eight minutes after the restart before Makhete Diop reduced the deficit in the 71st minute.

Khorfakkan’s Paulo Melo was on target in the 79th minute and Ismail Al Hammadi put the home side 5-1 up in injury time.

This marked Khorfakkan’s first win over Al Dhafra, who remained on 20 points in 10th place. They sit two points above 11th-placed Khorfakkan.

Ajman and Al Wahda share spoils: Ajman came from behind to register a 3-3 draw with Al Wahda in what was a thrilling end-to-end encounter at Rashid Bin Saeed Stadium. The guests needed only six minutes to go 1-0 up, as Ismail Matar latched onto a rebound and tapped home.

Ajman’s Abdulla Saleh then leveled things up just after the half-hour mark.

Tim Matavz then regained the Clarets’ lead to hand his side a 2-1 advantage ahead of halftime, while Omar Khrbin further extended Al Wahda’s lead in the 63rd minute.

Ayman Al Ramadi’s men clawed their way back from a 3-1 deficit, as Diego Jardel converted from the spot in the 77th minute before Bubacarr Trawally’s header brought Ajman back to 3-3 in the 83rd minute.

Al Wahda surrendered a two-goal lead to settle for the second draw in a row as they now sit seventh on 29 points in the seventh place.