Caio believes Sharjah are still in title hunt despite heavy defeat by Al Jazira

Ten-man visitors win 3-0 to make a move at the top of the Arabian Gulf League

Al Jazira’s Mohammed Rabie after scoring the opening goal as Caio (No.7) looks on in the Arabian Gulf League clash at Sharjah stadium on Friday, February 26, 2021. Courtesy PLC

Brazilian midfielder Caio insisted Sharjah’s 3-0 defeat in the top-of-the-table clash against Al Jazira has not dimmed their hopes of retaining their title.

Jazira won comfortably despite being reduced to 10-men just after the hour mark in Arabian Gulf League matchweek 18 at the Sharjah stadium on Friday.

Mohammed Rabie headed a long ball from a free kick to put the visitors in front in the 14th minute. Ali Mabkhout doubled the lead before half time and rounded off with an injury time penalty to take his tally to 18 at the top of the league’s scoring chart.

The result took Jazira’s tally to 40 points, three clear of Sharjah, with Baniyas remaining in third on 36.

Caio said they had prepared for the Jazira game for a week but were unlucky on the night.

“The loss to Jazira isn’t going to end our season and our objective is still to win the league,” he added.

“There are many matches left (8) and we’ll try to win all of them and hope for some results of the other games to come in our favour.”

Caio defended Sharjah’s style of play under the Emirati manager Abdulaziz Al Anbari that has come under criticism from a section of their fans.

“Many people are commenting on Sharjah’s style of play but we have been successful in winning many games,” he said.

“When the team is winning we all win, and people start to praise, and when we lose we all lose, and people start to comment. Nobody can single out the coach for tonight’s defeat.

“The coach has done a good job before and now, and in the future too. So nobody can pass judgment on his capabilities after this defeat. Everything will be okay if we win the next two or three games.”

Jazira’s midfielder Khalfan Mubarak reacted to his team’s win by saying they were able to impose their style on the night.

“It was a pressure game with the top two teams in the league and we managed handle that pressure by imposing our style of play tonight,” he said.

“We had an exceptionally good first half and then we did well to hold Sharjah after Abdalla Ramadan received the red card for two bookable offences. We are very happy with tonight’s work and hopefully we can take the momentum forward.”

Elsewhere, Baniyas emerged 2-0 winners over Ajman to remain third while Al Nasr moved to fourth (33) with a 2-0 victory over Hatta.

Shabab Al Ahli clinched a seven-goal thriller over Khorfakkan 4-3 to jump to fifth (32) while Al Ain suffered a 2-1 defeat to Al Dhafra to drop two places to sixth (30). Al Wahda held Wasl held to a 2-2 result and Kalba outclassed Fujairah 3-0.