Abu Dhabi: A freak goal by Amer Omar proved enough for Al Wahda to get past Fujairah 1-0 at their home venue the Al Nahyan Stadium on Monday and boost their lead at the top of the Arabian Gulf League.
Wahda now have 18 points from eight matches, while Fujairah have six from seven.
The hosts opened the account as early as the sixth minute after a goalmouth melee. Sebastian Tagliabue made a swift run down the right flank and cut back before taking a shot that was well blocked by keeper Ayoub Al Marzouqi.
Mohammad Al Shehi somehow managed to latch on to the rebound and set it up for Tawfeeq Al Hosani, whose shot found a defender in its way. The resultant rebound again landed in the danger zone and Tagliabue set up Al Hosani, whose attempt took a deflection off Omar before entering the goal.
The best chance for Fujairah came in the 30th minute, with Hassan Maatouk after doing all the spadework on the left before finding Madjid Bougherra, whose cross was met by a header from Salem Obaid, only to see it go wide.
The match was confined to a midfield tussle after the change of ends, with both teams having their share of chances but unable to come up with a clean finish.
Had Hassan Yebda been clinical in his left-footed attempted just five minutes before the final whistle, Fujairah could have salvaged a draw.
