Al Nasr leapfrog Al Shabab to third place

Dubai: A freak Masoud Hassan long-range shot and a late scramble off the line ensured Al Nasr extended their unbeaten run in the Etisalat Pro League to eight games, beating Al Shabab 2-1 at home yesterday and leapfrogging Paulo Bonamigo's side to third in the process.

In the other early game, Ivorian striker Modibo Diarra made an impressive debut for bottom club Emirates and helped them salvage a 2-2 draw against his former club Al Wahda at the Al Nahyan Stadium.

Hassan's snap long range opener from the right fooled Salem Abdullah in goal on eight minutes, curling awkwardly shy of the right post and dropping on the line at the base of the upright, before the goalkeeper could make it back.

Humaid Abbas added a second one 21 minutes with a similarly brash effort from range, first beating Eisa Mohammad before slotting a bouncing effort through Abdullah's grasp and into the bottom left from the edge of the area.

However, instead of continuing the early momentum, Al Nasr shut up shop and defended their lead, containing Al Shabab, who were without star striker Jociel Ferraira Da Silva.

This allowed the dangerous Al Shabab to claw their way back on 64 minutes from the penalty spot after Leo Lima fouled Carlos Villaneuva, Julio Cesar stepping up to hammer home.

In the dying moments Cesar received a long ball from Villaneuva and should have equalised, only for goalscorer Hassan to clear, injuring his goalkeeper in the process.

Nasty injury

Meanwhile, Diarra, who was injured early in the game following a clash with Al Wahda skipper Haider Allo Ali which left him bleeding from his head, pulled off an 84th minute equaliser to rescue a point for Emirates.

Hosts Al Wahda frittered away a golden chance to move into third place with their fifth draw this season.

For Emirates, it was their first points since victory on the opening day back in October 15 when they beat Dubai 2-1.

Abdullah Al Shehi headed home Emirates' opener on 21 minutes after some good work from Diarra.

Al Wahda equalised in the 30th minute through their Brazilian Fernando Baiano and the 2009-10 champions moved ahead through an own goal, scored by Diarra.

— With inputs from M.Satya Narayan, Chief Sports Reporter