Abdulwahab Abdulqadir made a triumphant return as Baniyas manager on Saturday night.
He led his side to a 1-0 win over Hatta in his first game back in charge, which was only the club’s second win in the Arabian Gulf League in 17 games.
The Iraqi in his first spell guided Baniyas to promotion from Division One in 1988 and a President’s Cup title four year later. Now he has provided fresh hopes for Baniyas in their relegation struggle.
Victory, though, was not achieved until injury time when their mid-season signing Harry Novillo made a diagonal run to finish with a low shot from the edge of the area.
Baniyas were denied an opportunity when Australian Mark Milligan’s header was cleared off the line by Hatta left-back Sebil Ghazi early in the second half. Baniyas remain rooted to the bottom of the table but they move up to eight points.
While Baniyas were rejoicing their much-needed win, Emirates, another club battling relegation, were celebrating after a stunning 4-0 demolition of Al Shabab.
Mourad Batna scored a hat-trick after Argentine forward Sebastian Sacha scored with a sliding effort from an Osman Sow cross to put the visitors ahead in the second minute.
Batna doubled the lead just before the break with a curling free kick from 30 yards that set the platform for Emirates.
The Moroccan forward fired a second eight minutes into the second half and then completed his hat-trick from a penalty kick three minutes from time to complete the rout.
The win moved Emirates alongside Dibba on 12 points but they still remain below their rivals on goal difference in second bottom spot.
For the Shabab fans, it was a disappointing result under Serbian manager Miroslav Djukic in his first game in charge.
apassela@thenational.ae
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