Ajman’s relegation fate was sealed on Sunday night after a 3-3 draw at Al Wasl’s Zabeel Stadium proved to be in vain.
Manuel Cajuda’s men failed to capitalise on Al Dhafra’s defeat away to Baniyas, 1-0, meaning they can no longer catch Dhafra with only two rounds of the Arabian Gulf League season remaining.
It all started so well for Ajman as Boris Kabi stepped up to power a penalty past Yousif Abdullah in the Wasl goal after eight minutes. That lead lasted up to the 34th minute when Caio Canedo scored a header to level.
The visitors were awarded a second penalty on 54 minutes; Driss Fettouhi converting to put Ajman back in front and then ohammed Alantaly’s striker a minute later giving them a two-goal cushion. A second goal for Canedo just past thehour-mark reduced the deficit and Ederson put away the third penalty of the match with 25 minutes remaining to make it 3-3 and doom Ajman to the drop.
Former Everton striker Denis Stracqualursi scored the winner for Baniyas against Al Dhafra to lift Laurent Banide’s side above Fujairah, who lost at home to Al Shabab, into eighth place.
Elsewhere last night, goals from Abdulaziz Sanqour, Everton Ribeiro and an Habib Al Fardan penalty helped Al Ahli to a 3-0 win over hosts Kalba.
Tonight’s action sees Sharjah entertain second-place Al Jazira, Al Nasr away to Emirates and Al Wahda welcome newly crowned league champions AL Ain.
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