Caio’s second-half goal helps Al Ain edge past Al Wahda
al ain — Caio’s 65-minute goal helped Al Ain defeat Al Wahda 1-0 at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in a postponed game from matchweek 13 of the Arabian Gulf League on Sunday.
Al Ain started in an electrifying fashion, when Bandar Al Ahbabi unleashed a powerful shot from a long-range freekick that cannoned off Rashed Al Suwaidi’s right post just 18 minute into the game.
Five minutes later, Al Wahda responded through Leonardo Sousa. The Brazilian capitalized on Al Ahbabi’s defensive blunder and cut inside the box from the left flank, but his right-footed curler went just wide off target.
In the second minute of injury time, the Boss were reduced to 10 men, as Al Ahbabi was shown a straight red card following his tackle on Mohamed Al Abdulla.
Eight minutes after the break, the Clarets were dealt a huge blow after Mohamed Al Menhali fouled Al Ain’s Amer Abdulrahman in the midfield. The fullback went for an early shower as he was sent off after receiving a second yellow card.
On the 65-minute mark, Abdulrahman sent a defence splitting through pass towards Caio, who advanced towards the box and drilled the ball into the bottom corner, making it 1-0 for the hosts.
Abdulrahman nearly doubled the Boss’ lead just eight minute before the fulltime whistle, when Caio found the number 6 midfielder near the edge of the box. However, the latter’s first-time shot hit the post as the hosts missed a chance to add their second of the night.
After the win, Al Ain remain second with 32 points, just two points behind league leaders Sharjah and are set to face Al Dhafra next week. Meanwhile, Al Wahda occupy the sixth spot with 21 points ahead of their clash against Dibba in matchweek 15.