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Al Jazira Score Crucial Victory

ABU DHABI - Two goals by brilliant playmaker Subait Khater powered Al Jazira to a crucial 2-1 home victory over nine-man Al Wasl at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium on Friday night.

After a goalless first half, Alexander Oliveira drew first blood for Al Wasl in the 48th minute and Khater levelled the scores less than a minute later. The talented midfielder fired home a long range free kick to beat Al Wasl’s international keeper Majed Nasser in great style. Towards the 85th minute, Khater sealed victory with another brilliant right footer to claim full points for Al Jazira.

With this result, Al Jazira extended their lead in the points table to 29 from 11 starts and ended the first part of the UF-League on a very high note.

UAE referee Farid Ali sent off Alexander Oliveira after the Brazilian left winger picked up a second caution in the 85th minute. Al Wasl was again reduced to nine men when Ali Mahmoud was shown a straight red card for tough tackling.

With this result, Al Jazira extended their lead to five points before Al Wahda’s game against Al Nasr on Sunday by the end of the first part of the competition.

In Ras Al Khaimah, promoted Bani Yas came from behind to reverse their 0-1 deficit to a narrow 2-1 victory over the Emirates.

The Moroccan pro drew first blood for the hosts as early as the fourth minute of the first half. But, Ali Masari levelled the result in the 37th minute and Fawzi Basheer made it 2-1 in the injury time of the first half.

Bani Yas raised their tally to 20 points and reached safe waters. The club’s management said they will work hard with the players to finish in the first four teams and secure a berth in the AFC Champions League next season.

The team’s manager said they are now nine points off the pace and they may not have a good chance in the race for the title, but he promised to make every possible move.

Meanwhile, the management of the Emirates Club suspended their UAE player Adnan Hussain until further notice. Hussain challenged the competence of their Tunisian coach Ahmed Al Ajlani and spoke publicly about the coach’s capabilities.

“He’s inefficient, incompetent and should be held responsible for the team’s failure. Why do they always speak about the players? The time has come for the club’s management to point to the coach,” Hussain told Dubai Sports Channel.

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