AL Ain // Elias scored a goal in each half to lead Al Ain to their first win in 13 matches and lift them out of the Pro League relegation zone.
The Brazilian forward was on target from the penalty spot in the 26th minute and added his second with a stinging 35-yard shot 13 minutes after the break as the Garden City club beat Al Wahda 2-0 at the Tahnoun bin Mohammed stadium last night.
The result took Al Ain's total to 14 points and lifted them from second bottom to ninth in the 12-team league while Wahda, the reigning Pro League champions are one place higher in eighth in the table.
Al Ain made the early breaks and Elias sent Ali al Wehaibi scampering into the area before he was felled by Mohammed al Shehhi. The Brazilian stepped to take the penalty hit his spot kick dead straight while Adel al Hosani, the Wahda goalkeeper, dived to his right.
His second goal was a superb solo effort. Elias moved in from the left before unleashing a stunning shot to beat al Hosani at the near post.
Wahda could have scored a consolation goal in injury time but Ismail Matar's effort from front of the goal was cleared by Fares Juma, the Al Ain defender.
It was a moral boosting result for the nine-time league champions, who ended a frustrating 12-match run without a victory dating back to September 3.
They can now travel with more confidence for an away double header in the Asian Champions League. They play Hangzhou of China on April 6 and travel to Japan for their rescheduled game with Nagoya Grampus six days later.
Wahda were disappointing after their President's Cup win over Al Wasl, their 1-1 draw with Al Jazira and a 1-1 draw with Persepolis of Iran.
