Fabio de Lima screamer against Emirates keeps Al Wasl top of the Arabian Gulf League table

Fabio de Lima scored the winner five minutes from time as Al Wasl’s 2-1 win over Emirates stretched their winning streak to seven matches and keep them top of the Arabian Gulf League. Amith Passela reports.

Al Wasl, in yellow, beat Emirates Club 2-1. Arshad Khan Aboobaker / Pro League Committee

Fabio de Lima scored the winner five minutes from time as Al Wasl's 2-1 win over Emirates stretched their winning streak to seven matches and keep them top of the Arabian Gulf League.

De Lima had earlier made an excellent assist for Humaid Abbas to put Wasl ahead three minutes into the second half before the Brazilian struck a stinging left-footer from 30 yards that arrowed its way into the top corner for Wasl to regain the lead after Sebastian Sacha had levelled on 56 minutes at the Emirates Club Stadium.

After a first-half stalemate, in which Emirates goalkeeper Humaid Abdullah made two excellent saves to deny Wasl and see the two teams go into the break on level terms, smothering a one on one against De Lima and keeping out a Caio Canedo free kick.

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The second period burst into life within a matter of minutes, though. De Lima collected a long ball, rounded Haider Ali before slipping an inviting cross for the charging Abbas to knock-in from close range.

Wasl’s lead did not last long though as the Moroccan Mourad Batna split the visitor’s defence with an inch-perfect pass for Sacha to send the ball past a hapless Rashid Ali in goal for Emirates’ equaliser.

Abdullah denied Lima again by blocking a close-range shot down low to his left before the Brazilian’s superb winner sealed all three points for the Dubai cub.

“We had five to six chances but couldn’t convert them into goals,” said Wasl’s Brazilian striker Ronaldo Mendes.

“Emirates are not an easy side to defeat on their home pitch. They are only on two points and we know such teams to come hard at us. What was important for us tonight was the three points from this game.”

In the other game, Sharjah returned with a point from Kalba after a scoreless draw meant the teams remain 10th and 11th in the table respectively.

Kalba came closest to breaking the deadlock when the Brazilian forward Ciel saw an effort crashed against the post eight minutes from time.

On Thursday, the champions Al Ahli will be out to redeem last week's defeat to Al Jazira when they meet Al Dhafra at the Rashid Stadium while Al Wahda travel to Baniyas in the late game.

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