Al Jazira let slip a two-goal lead before hitting a late winner to claim a 3-2 victory away at already-relegated Al Shaab in Round 23 of the Arabian Gulf League on Thursday.
Two goals from Ali Mabkhout – including the late winner – took his tally for the season to 19, while Kenwyne Jones was also on target for the visitors at the Khaled bin Mohamed Stadium.
The visitors made the breakthrough after 29 minutes as Mabkhout converted from the penalty spot after an infringement from Talal Mubarak in the area.
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The second goal was soon to follow, as a cross from the left by Thiago Neves was directed into the back of the net by a looping header from Jones in the 35th minute.
After the break, Jazira suffered a blow as defender Musallem Fayez was shown a red card on the hour mark.
Four minutes later, spurred on by the dismissal, Shaab cut the deficit as Jazira defender Sultan Al Suwaidi put Ze Eduardo’s cross into his own net.
In the 70th minute, Ali Khaseif had to make a good save to keep Maikon Leite’s free kick out and prevent a leveller, but eight minutes later, the equaliser came.
It was Eduardo himself who got on the scoresheet, controlling substitute Ali Yaqoub’s cross on his chest before thrashing a shot into the back of Khaseif’s net.
Jazira went back on the attack and Neves drew an important save from Obaid Altawila in the 83rd minute and Mabkhout saw an effort blocked by the foot of the goalkeeper minutes later.
With two minutes to spare, Jazira found the breakthrough as Mabkhout hit his second, nicking the ball away from Ismail Al Jasmi and stroking into the far corner and snatch all three points.
In action today, second-bottom side Fujairah host Asian Champions League hopefuls Al Shabab.
Third-bottom Emirates will hope to capitalise on any slip ups by Fujairah when they take on Dibba. Al Nasr face Baniyas.
In other news, The Pro League Committee has approved the request of Al Wasl to play their remaining home games this season at the Zabeel Stadium, as construction for the club’s planned new stadium has not yet started.
Al Wasl had earlier requested to play their next two home fixtures at Al Nasr’s Al Maktoum Stadium, but will now see out this season’s fixtures at their home ground.
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