Al Wahda races past Al Ain in soccer

Al Wahda, the FA Cup champions earlier this season, proved they are strong contenders for the league title too as they came up with a dominant display against defending champions Al Ain in a 1-0 victory here yesterday.
The prestigious derby between the emirate's top two sides drew a very large crowd and the rivals supporters clashed constantly though in contrast, the display on the field was quite clean.
Al Wahda's import from Congo, Jerry scored the matchwinner off a brilliant move in the 59th minute to overcome a gutsy display by UAE national team goalkeeper Moataz Abdullah of Al Ain.
After Conti and Abdul Salam Jumaa exchanged passes, Yasir Salim received the ball and then found Jerry with a firm pass through the Al Ain defence and the lanky striker made no mistake. The goal was long overdue for Al Wahda totally dominated proceedings but could not score more due to poor shooting and Abdulla heroics under the Al Ain bar.
The much-awaited clash actually fizzled out into a no-contest as the hosts blunted the Juma Musa-Nelson strike duo of Al Ain with quick-tackling and close marking. Even as the two struggled to have a clear look at the Al Wahda goal, Al Ain were bombarded with a barrage of attacks mostly from the right through Fahad Masaood.
While Al Ain survived the first session, thanks to the pot and three good saves by Abdullah, they did not have one single attempt at the rival goal.
At the break, tempers frayed on the far stands and soon there was a pitched battle of water bottles and other items between the rival supporters. A strong posse of policemen calmed things down and two quick attacks by the Al Wahda frontline soon shifted the supporters' attention to the field.
Masaood's pile-driver was parried away and then Jerry shot wide off a good pass from Conti.
However Jerry made amends later with a clean strike to help Al Wahda collect three crucial points. For Al Ain, Abdullah, despite conceding the goal, came out of his charge twice to foil Adil Matar and restrict the margin.
And when time kept ticking away, Juma Musa came up with a diving header but Abdul Basith was equal to the task.
In other matches Al Ahli drew with Al Shaab 2-2 while Al Shabab beat Ahli Fujairah 2-0.