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Wahda hold Bani Yas; Dhafra win

Ismail Matar late strike earned Al Wahda a fighting 2-2 away draw against Bani Yas in the 13th round of the Arabian Gulf League at the Al Shamkha Stadium on Saturday night.
The brilliant veteran fired home a 25-yard low range shot into the back of the net after Bani Yas defenders fouled him outside the box.
"It was the strong desire of the player not to end the current year with a defeat," Matar said later. "We may have not showed our all in the first half, but Al Wahda have virtually controlled the second half and dictated their pace all the way," he added.
Unbeaten in nine consecutive starts in their pro-league's campaign, Al Wahda have increased their tally to 20 points to settle sixth on goals difference behind Al Shabab while Bani Yas are 8th on 17 points.
Bani Yas led 2-1 at half-time. Australian striker Mark Miligan opened the scoring for the Sky Blues as early as in the fourth minute from the start and Jorguin Larrivey doubled the score-line in the 21st minute. But, the Maroons battled back and reduced the deficit to 1-2 three minutes before the break through Chilean playmaker Jorge Valdivia. 
Elsewhere, Al Dhafra claimed a crucial 2-1 home victory over former champions at the Hamdan biun Zayed Stadium in the western region. "This win was very important for us," said Al Dhafra's veteran Abdulrahim Jumaa who scored the first goal for his side. "It's true that we are still in the dangerous zone and need to improve to reach the safe waters, but to end the first part of the competition with a win over a tough opponent is encouraging," he added.
It was veteran midfielder Abdulrahim Juma who opened the scoring for Al Dhafra against his former side, firing them into a 1-0 lead in the 21st minute with a cross-goal finish. But by the 34th minute the visitors had drawn level with the award of a penalty; Thiago Neves stepping up to thump and emphatic spot kick beyond Abdulla Sultan to equalise for Al Jazira at 1-1.
Just four minutes later, though, Al Dhafra were awarded a penalty of their own after Makhete Diop was fouled in the area, and the strong Senegalese striker converted the spot kick himself.