Leonardo enjoys dream debut to guide Al Jazira back to the Arabian Gulf League summit

Ailton, centre, opened the scoring for Al Jazira against Al Wasl on Friday night. Courtesy Arabian Gulf League

Al Wasl 2-3 Al Jazira

Wasl: Mendes 27', De Lima 80'

Jazira: Ailton 13', Khalfan 35', Leonardo 54'

Story of the match

DUBAI // Rightfully billed as the prize acquisition of the January transfer window, Leonardo delivered on his debut and sent Jazira back to the Arabian Gulf League summit.

The Brazilian, signed this month not long after leading Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors to the Asian Champions League, was the star man against Al Wasl on Friday night, scoring one and assisting another in his new side’s 3-2 victory.

The clash at the Zabeel Stadium pitted the division’s second-placed team against the third, but Jazira took the spoils. In the process, they reclaimed first place in the table only a few days after surrendering it to Al Ain. It also marked a welcome recovery from the disappointment of the past week or so, when Jazira, the President’s Cup defending champions, exited both domestic cup competitions.

At Wasl, Jazira led once Ailton Almeida neatly finished Ali Mabkhout’s layoff on 13 minutes, but they were soon pegged back through Ronaldo Mendes’ wicked free kick from his station almost on the Jazira byline.

Then Leonardo stepped up and the visitors stepped out in front. A renowned deadball specialist, the forward first supplied Saif Khalfan with a pinpoint free kick in the 35th minute, leaving the defender simply to direct his header into the Wasl goal. However, having gotten a glove to the ball, home goalkeeper Yousef Al Zaabi should have kept it out.

He was perhaps at fault, too, for Jazira’s third not long after half time. Leonardo was astute enough to win and then dispatch a free kick high into the net, yet the ball was central enough for Al Zaabi to repel it. Leonardo, though, just took off towards the travelling support, soon to be swamped by his teammates. The debutant was later substituted, although by that stage Wasl had pulled back a goal

It fell to Fabio De Lima to give his team hope, the Brazilian supplying a fine finish from close range with 10 minutes remaining. The 2016/17 campaign’s top scorer, he now has 17 goals in 14 league matches.

Nevertheless, Jazira held on. They now hold top spot, as well, although Al Ain can snatch that back on Saturday against Baniyas.

What the managers said

Rodolfo Arruabarrena, Al Wasl: “The two teams were at the same level, there was no difference, except for the scoreline and the Al Jazira goalkeeper was one of the best players. It was a difficult evening, but we have to come out together. The only thing I know is hard work. I also know there are things we are not doing well.”

Henk ten Cate, Al Jazira: “It was a game between two teams who’d lost confidence after a fantastic first half of season — a fighting game, not great football. It was, how you say, women and children first, kicking the ball away. But I’m very relieved we broke the January spell. We are still in it. It’s nice [to be top again], but I don’t care. I want my players back as soon as possible, then we can talk about the table.”

Man of the match — Leonardo, Jazira

If only for his match-winning contributions: one goal and one assist. He almost had a second on the night too, but his lob found the side-netting.

National verdict

Missing Mbark Boussoufa and Khalfan Mubabrak, Jazira gutted out the victory, with goalkeeper Ali Kashief also playing his part. Were more ruthless than Wasl, who did not have enough quality to earn at least a point.

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