Al Nasr, Al Wasl capture crucial Pro League Cup victories
DUBAI: Israeli Diaa Sabi’a bagged a brace as Al Nasr secured a crucial 3-1 away win against Al Dhafra in their opening round match of the UAE Pro League Cup on Saturday.
The visiting team started on a spirited note and opened the scoring in the very second minute when Israeli midfielder Sabi’a advanced unhindered through the middle to nod in a cross from point-blank range off Ryan Mendes from the let flank.
The home side tried to work their way into the game and make amends for that early set-back.
But, the Al Nasr defence line stood strong and in fact maintained persistent pressure that saw the fall of the home team goal a second time.
Mendes was once again the provider while seting up Antonio Jose De Carvalho (Toze) for Al Nasr’s second goal in the 36th minute to help the visitors troop off at half-time with a comfortable 2-0 lead.
Sabi’a got his second of the night to make it 3-0 in favour of the visiting team just five minutes into the second half ater being set up by Toze.
But, Bani Yas refused to relent and finally bagged a consolation goal in the 57th minute when Nigerian Imoh Ezekiel prodded home from Issam El Adoua following a corner.
The return leg of the first round between the two teams will now be played in Dubai on Oct.25 with the winner on aggregate advancing to the knock-out quarter-finals.
AL WASL PIP BANI YAS: Al Wasl fought back from a goal down to return home with a hardfought 2-1 away win against Bani Yas.
Down by a seventh minute strike from Saeed Khamis off an assist from Suhail Ahmed Al Noobi, Al Wasl crawled their way back into the encounter with two goals before heading in for the half-time break.
Despite that early set-back, Al Wasl kept their calm and it was their Brazilian striker Fabio De Lima who got the equaliser in the 23rd minute.
Atacking midfielder from Uruguay Michel Araujo, who is presently on loan from Brazil’s Fluminense, gave Al Wasl the lead in the 44th minute when he accepted a pass from Brazilian William Potker and drilled home a low shot past Fahad Al Dhanhani on the Bani Yas goal.
In the second half, both teams had a fair share of chances at each other’s goals, but that 2-1 scoreline remained unchanged till the end as The Emperor returned to Dubai holding a slight edge before the return leg of the first round in the last week of this month.
Earlier, the first chapter of Ajman Vs Sharjah encounter in the first round at Ajman stadium has ended in a 2-2 draw as both teams put in an entertaining display for Emirati football fans.
The visiting team took the lead as early as in the 11th minute with a powerful header from Ahmed Alhashmi that hit the crossbar before setling in the hosts net.