Dubai: Ivorian striker Boubacar Sanogo secured a second-half brace to help Fujairah’s road to recovery with a 2-0 win over Sharjah in the 10th week action of the Arabian Gulf League on Thursday.
The 31-year-old Sanogo, who spent four seasons in the German Bundesliga before moving to France with Saint Etienne, first tapped a cross from the right into an empty goal in the 62nd minute and nine minutes later connected a header to help Fujairah’s recovery after last week’s 7-0 thrashing at the hands of Bani Yas.
The lone early match of Round 10 did not rise to very high standards with Sharjah coming close to scoring in the 42nd minute when Rodriguinho Marinho saw his attempt from the top of the area strike the framework.
In the second half, the visitors showed more purpose in their attacks and the move paid dividends as a Khalil Khamis cross from the right caught Sharjah goalkeeper Yousuf off his line as the ball deflected off the woodwork and landed in the path of unmarked Sanogo for a simple tap-in.
In the 72nd minute, the striker from Ivory Coast doubled his tally when he darted in to connect with a strong header following a corner kick.
Sharjah, who had won 4-0 against neighbours Ajman last week, tried their best to try and secure at least a draw, but coach Abdul Wahab’s boys held strong till the end to add three vital points and temporarily move into sixth place with 15 points.
