Al Wahda and Al Ain post facile wins
DUBAI: Two first-half goals from Sebastian Tagliabue and Tahnoon Alzaabi were the difference for Al Wahda to snatch a 2-0 away win over Itihad Kalba in matchweek 15 of the Pro League on Sunday.
It took 22nd minutes for the visitors to find the breakthrough and take the lead when they have been awarded a penalty kick due to a handball on Igor Rossi inside the penalty box, prompting the referee to point to the spot. Sebastian Tagliabue stepped up and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to make it 1-0.
Three minutes before the two teams headed to the dressing rooms for the break, Tahnoon Alzaabi sealed the victory for his side’s lead when he was teed up by Tagliabue inside the box as he kept his composure and drilled the ball into the back of the net.
Itihad Kalba have had problems with their penalty kick takers ater Filip Kiss missed two penalties in two minutes during the second half. The victory guided Al Wahda to jump to the third spot with 30 points.
Al Wahda are keeping it hot on the heels of leaders Shabab Al Ahli, who are siting on the top of the table with 32 points with 10 wins, two losses and three draws and Sharjah, are just one point adrit with 31points.
Itihad Kalba remain eighth with 21 points. Kalba have won six matches and lost six while they have been able to procure a draw in three games.
Two goals in each half from Al Ain earned them a 4-1 victory over Al Dhafra on Sunday.
Erik Jorgens’ sensational finish had given Al Ain an early lead in the 5th minute ater curling a shot with the outside of his foot from inside the box into the top corner.
Three minutes later, Tiago hit the equalizer ater pouncing on a mistake by defender Erik Jorgens to fire past goalkeeper Khalid Eisa. Al Ain were awarded a penalty kick in the stoppage time of the first half ater Andrii Yarmolenko was brought down by Rashed Muhayer Alktebi. Laba Kodjo stepped up and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to make it 2-1.
Earlier, Sharjah pulled off a 4-0 comfortable win over Bani Yas in a late match on Friday.
Sharjah took an early lead ater seven minutes when Makhete Diop timed his run perfectly to head in Miralem Pjanic’s cross.
Seven minutes ater the break, Caio Lucas cemented his side’s lead with a superb strike from outside the box.
One minute before the hour-mark, the Brazilian striker made it 3-0 and neted his second goal of the night with a sublime effort from outside the box.
The fourth goal was quick to follow when Khaled Ebraheim Aldhanhani fired a curling let-footed shot into the botom corner.
The victory means that Sharjah remain second with 31 points, while Bani Yas sit 9th with 18 points.
Two minutes ater the break, Andrii Yarmolenko added the third goal for Al Ain when he orchestrated a fine one-two with Laba Kodjo to open up a space, finally allowing the Ukrainian midfielder to drill the ball into the back of the net.
Four minutes before the hour-mark, Soufian Rahimi fired a stunning long-range strike from outside the box to seal the victory and secure the three points for Al Ain. The victory means Al Ain sit fourth with 28 points, while Al Dhafra are 13th with seven points.