Al Ain rout Al Wahda in eight-goal classic

dubai — Al Ain thrashed archrivals Al Wahda 6-2 in a thrilling affair at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in the summit and final game of the Arabian Gulf League matchweek 18.

The hosts started on the front foot as six minutes into the game Marcus Berg sent Caio Fernandes through on goal, but the Brazilian’s left footed shot was parried by Mohammed Al Shamsi.

A deftly executed backheel pass from Omar Abdulrahman started a breakthrough for Al Ain and Hussein El Shahat supplied the killer pass for Berg to break the deadlock with a composed finish in the bottom right corner in the 32nd minute.

Eight minutes later Ismael Matar found Sebastian Tagliabue with a lobbed pass behind the defence but the Argentinian couldn’t beat goalkeeper Khalid Eissa who saved it and started the counter for Al Ain’s second, sending a long ball for Berg who sent a low cross to Caio to tap in and send Al Ain to the dressing room two goals ahead.

After a scoreless first 20 minutes of the second period, the match exploded into life as the Clarets pulled one back in the 68th minute. Substitute Balazs Dzsudzsak cut in from the left side before smashing one with his right foot into the bottom corner to put his team back into the game.

Only one minute later Al Wahda’s Hungarian winger scored an identical goal to his first cutting in from the left flank before placing the ball into the net with his right foot adding his second of the night and bringing the visitors level.

The guests enjoyed the draw for all of two minutes but after that it was mayhem.

The victory sends Al Ain ever closer to the league title.