Al Wasl go top in Arabian Gulf League on Fabio de Lima’s strike against Kalba

Al Wasl edged Kalba 1-0 on Thursday night to go top of the Arabian Gulf League, one point ahead of Al Jazira, as Fabio de Lima scored the winner just 16 minutes in.

Fabio de Lima, right, of Al Wasl in action against Kalba on Thursday night. Photo Courtesy / Arshad Khan / AGL / November 3, 2016

Kalba 0-1 Al Wasl

WAS: Lima 16’

Al Wasl stretched their winning streak to five after a 1-0 away result over Kalba to move to the top of the Arabian Gulf League table on Thursday night.

Brazilian Fabio de Lima put the visitors ahead at 16 minutes, before they had to see off some anxious moments, particularly in the second half, to return with full points.

The result took Wasl’s tally to 15, one more than Al Jazira and two ahead of the trio in third place, Al Ahli, Al Ain and Al Shabab. Al Ain and Al Ahli do have a game in hand.

Ronaldo Mendes worked down the left flank to set-up compatriot Lima to score from the top of the box.

Kalba came close twice for the equaliser, but were denied by some good work from goalkeeper Ibrahim Essa, who did well to block Brazilian Ciel’s close range effort and dived low to his right to push out Malian Modibo Maiga’s header off a corner.

Wasl began their league campaign with a defeat to Jazira but have since shown their intent as title challengers by winning the next five games on the trot.

Elsewhere

Al Nasr ended a four-match losing run in the league to give their new manager Dan Petrescu a winning start on his first match in charge.

It was a game in which they were favourites, but they won it more authoritatively with a 4-0 result over Dibba at the Al Maktoum Stadium.

Mohanad Abdulraheem put them ahead on 18 minutes and Abdelaziz Barrada doubled it. Ali Mohammed turned one on to his own net for a 3-0 lead at half-time. Jonathan Pitroipa completed the rout with a second-half strike.

New Baniyas manager Jose Gomes did not have the same success as his Nasr counterpart, seeing his side fall 2-0 at home to Al Dhafra.

His first game in charge last week ended in a 5-1 defeat to Al Jazira as Baniyas are left rooted to the bottom on one point from six games.

Makhete Diop broke the deadlock on the 66th minute and sealed the victory with his second seven minutes from time.

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