Douglas the new darling at Al Ain

1.1688722-1623752568 — Douglas Image Credit: Gulf News Archive

Abu Dhabi: Who said Asamoah Gyan was irreplaceable?

Al Ain fans still pining the loss of their prolific idol, who moved to China's Shanghai SIPG last summer after netting a staggering 95 goals in 83 games for the defending Arabian Gulf League champions, have a new hero -- the Brazilian striker Douglas.

The January transfer signing scored a first-half brace (8 and 37) to add to Mohammad Abdul Rahman's 22nd-minute effort as the Boss overcame battling Bani Yas 4-2 at home in the AGL on Friday.

It was Douglas's eighth goal in all competitions, and seventh in the league, since joining Zlatko Dalic's men.

The hosts had to repel a late rally from Bani Yas, whose early-season excellence has faded in recent months to leave them entrenched in mid-table, through goals from Fawaz Awana (79) and Suhail Al Noubi (90).

But the Colombian winger Danilo Asprilla, on his return from a injury, settled matters with the home side's fourth goal in stoppage time.

The hard-earned victory at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium took Al Ain two points clear of Al Ahli at the top, although the Red Knights could overhaul their rivals with victory at home to Al Shabab in Friday's late game.

Elsewhere on Friday, a last-gasp equaliser by Al Dhafra striker Omar Khribin snatched a 2-2 draw at home with Al Wasl, who went third on goal difference above Al Wahda.

Rogerio Coutinho (34) and Fabio De Lima (38) had put the visitors on course for a comfortable win, only for Adil Hermach to level on the stroke of half-time.

In Thursday's matches, Al Nasr's travails continued as they slipped from third to fifth after being beaten 3-2 at home by Al Jazira.

Goals from Jires Kembo Ekoko and Jonathan Pitroipa against his old side went in vain for Ivan Jovanovic's stuttering side, who succumbed to a brace from Ali Mabkhout and Salem Ali's late winner.

Earlier, fourth-place Al Wahda cruised to a 3-0 victory away to Fujairah thanks to a terrific free-kick from the veteran striker Esmail Mattar and two goals from the league's top-scorer, Sebastian Tagliabue.

For Mattar, 32, it was the perfect way to celebrate his recall to the UAE national team ahead of the crucial home Fifa 2018 World Cup Asian Zone Group A games against Palestine and Saudi Arabia on March 24 respectively.

The UAE, who lie second in Group A on 13 points, three behind Saudi Arabia, must win both forthcoming qualifiers in order to progress to the final qualifying stage.

The eight group winners automatically advance, together with the four best runners-up.

Mattar will bring vast experience to the squad, having debuted for the national team in 2003. He was a pivotal member of the Gulf Cup-winning side in 2007, scoring the winner in the final against Oman, but played a less influential role in the team that emulated that feat in Bahrain three years ago.