Dubai: Fabio De Lima scored a second half brace to lead Al Wasl to the top of the standings with a 2-1 win against early Arabian Gulf League (AGL) leaders Al Wahda, here late on Friday.
Tied goalless at the end of the first half, the home team got a much-needed lead when De Lima got his fifth goal of the season in the 55th minute. But the visitors came back when Sebastian Tagliabue turned in a defensive error in the 80th minute, only to see Al Wasl bag full points when De Lima leapt high to nod in a corner with just three minutes remaining for the full-time whistle.
The result puts The Cheetahs at the top of the standings with ten points following three wins and a draw from their four matches. The team from the Capital slipped into second with three wins and nine points, but clear of former champions Al Ain who have a game in hand in Ajman on Saturday.
Al Wahda maintained pressure on the home team defence especially in the early part with Moroccan winger Mourad Batna — on loan for a season with Ras Al Khaimah’s Emirates Club last season — a constant threat.
After a barren first half, the home team nudged clear ten minutes into the second half when De Lima sent the jampacked stadium into frenzy when he accepted a clever long ball from the right and lobbed Mohammad Al Shamsi on the Al Wahda goal. But the ball hit the woodwork and rebounded back into play for the Brazilian to follow it up and slam into an empty goal.
Al Wasl could have doubled the advantage in the 66th minute, but the Al Wahda goalkeeper did well to save a stiff Ronaldo Mendes shot with his foot. The visitors nearly got an equaliser in the 71st minute, but an alert Sultan Al Manthari denied Tagliabue from point blank range.
Al Wahda finally drew level in the 80th minute when Tagliabue latched on to a hasty clearance from the home team defence and banged in past Al Manthari. However, their joy was short-lived as Lima out-jumped the entire defence to head into the far corner and give Al Wasl a well-deserved three points and the AGL leadership.
RESULT
Al Wasl x Al Wahda 2-1
