Al Jazira Keep Title Hopes Alive

Jazira, who had gone down 0-3 via a penalty shootout to Al Shabab, scored through Subait Khater in the 12^th minute and increased the lead through captain Ibrahim Diaky in the 38^th minute. Shabab scored a consolation goal in the 78^th minute through Surour Salem.

Jazira, who are unbeaten, are perched on top of the table with 32 points, with strong contenders Al Wahda on 27 points, who are still to play their 12^th game. Al Ain, who too are yet to play their 12^th game, are on 23 points.

Al Shabab are eighth with 13 points.

Brazilian midfielder Rafael Sobis returned to the second half of the League after a lengthy absence due to injury. Sobis came in for the injured Ivory Coast striker Tony.

Sobis had suffered a knee ligament injury last May which put him out for the first half of the season.

Midfielder and captain Ibrahim Diaky also made a comeback to the first 11 after serving out a one-match ban. He had missed the President’s Cup semifinal because of the ban.

Jazira had their first opportunity in the seventh minute but Salem Masoud’s header after a Subait Khater freekick, went wide of the post.

Shabab packed their defence and Jazira found it a wee bit hard to get past that. But they didn’t have to wait long to march ahead, thanks a lapse by Shabab goalkeeper Salem Abdullah in the 12^th minute. Subait Khater sent in a dangerous and curling freekick and goalkeeper Salem Abdullah, who was anticipating a touch, failed to collect it as the rest of the pack too failed to get a touch on the ball.

That goal got them into rhythm and Jazira came up with some good moves. Jazira could have doubled the lead in the 19^th minute but Sobis’ shot, after being put in by Oliveira, was collected by goalkeeper Salem Abdullah.

A keyed up Jazira were in the zone now and they increased the lead in the 38^th minute through captain Ibrahim Diaky. Oliveira charged down the left flank and teed it up beautifully for Diaky, who made no mistake.

They should have got a third two minutes later but Sobis shot wide off the post after a good move.

Al Shabab tried hard to get on the scoresheet after the break with a flurry of chances. Abdul Aziz Husein saw his shot go over the bar in the 57^th minute and two minutes later, Carlos Rinato swerving left-footer hit the bar.

Sobis, who had a good game, was substituted in the 74^th minute, with Sultan Bargash coming in for him.

Shabab scored a consolation goal in the 78^th minute through Surour Salem, who slotted his left-footer home.

Jazira’s Oliveira, who too had a good game on the night was substituted, with six minutes left on the clock.