Problems persist as Arabian Gulf League champions Al Jazira fall to Al Nasr at home

Both sides finish match with 10 men after Awana and Al Otaiba red cards with Wanderley on target twice in 4-2 win

Henk ten Cate led Al Jazira to their second ever Arabian Gulf League title in 2017. Courtesy AGL

Champions Al Jazira suffered a second defeat in three Arabian Gulf League games after falling to 10-man Al Nasr on Saturday night.

After last week’s shock defeat to Dibba, the champions were humbled at home 4-2 by the Dubai club.

Nasr’s Brazilian forward Wanderley struck twice with compatriot Marcelo and Rashid Omar also on target. Ali Mabkhout and Fares Juma scored for Jazira.

The visitors went into the break leading 3-2 but a man down on the pitch after Fawaz Awana was sent off for a second bookable offence just before the half-hour.

Jazira also finished the match without their full quota of players with Eissa Al Otaiba was sent off for a second booking in injury time.

Marcelo gave Nasr the lead after just three minutes. Mabkhout levelled for Jazira nine minutes later and then went ahead through Juma’s header.

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The lead didn’t last long as Wanderley found the net two minutes later and regained the lead for his side after Awana’s dismissal.

Henk ten Cate, the Jazira manager, made a double substitution in the second half.

He replaced marquee signing Lassana Diarra and Khalfan Mubarak with Al Otaiba and Uzbekistan international Sardor Rashidov, but neither made much impact before Rashid Omar tapped in a cross from Wanderley nine minutes after the break.

Jazira made several raids at the visitor’s goal but Ahmed Shambih stood firm to preserve Nasr’s two-goal cushion.

Elsewhere, Caio Canedo and Fabio de Lima struck in the final nine minutes for Al Wasl to return with a 2-1 result against Sharjah.

Sharjah responded with a goal from Vander Vieira in added time but the visitors saw off the remaining period to take their tally to seven points from three games and move up to second in the table.

In the other early game, Brazilian forward Ciel was on target twice from the penalty spot to lead Dibba to a 2-0 victory over Ajman at Fujairah Stadium.

Mohammed Yaqoob conceded the first penalty for handling the ball and Ciel made it two from two when Rashid Malallah brought down substitute Ahmed Ibrahim in added time.