Pedro, Noobi on the double in Bani Yas’ Al Ain rout
SHARJAH: Joao Pedro and Suhail Al Noobi fired in a brace each as Bani Yas handed Al Ain a 4-1 thrashing at home in a matchweek 8 game of the Arabian Gulf League played late on Tuesday.
Bani Yas needed only two minutes to open the scoring as Joao Pedro connected to a cross from the right side to tap the ball home in the second minute of the game.
They doubled the scoreline in the 5th minute as Nicolas Gimenez’ effort was blocked by the Al Ain keeper Khalid Eisa, before Suhail Al Noobi latched on the rebound to hand his side an early 2-0 advantage.
Al Ain came close to reducing the deficit four minutes later, when Laba Kodjo’s effort went wide. The Boss threatened once more, as Wilson Eduardo’s strike went inches wide of goal.
On the other side of the pitch, Gastón Suarez forced Khalid Eisa into a fine save just ater the half-hour mark. Ater his heroic save, Eisa cost his side a goal, as Al Noobi tapped the ball past the outrushing goalkeeper to make it 3-0.
Al Ain reduced the deficit 20 minutes before the break off a cross from Wilson Eduardo that nestled directly into the back of the net to make it 3-1. The Boss thought they neted a second three minutes later, but it was ruled out for a handball ater reviewing the VAR.
It was Bani Yas, however, who found the back of the net just before full time, as Joao Pedro dribbled past Al Ain defenders and sloted the ball home to put the three points beyond any doubt.
Bani Yas raised their tally to 13 points, one behind Al Ain who sit in fourth place.
UAE Pro League chairman meanwhile Abdulla Naser Al Junaibi congratulated President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan,
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-president, Prime Minister of the
UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Their Highnesses Rulers of the Emirates and its people on the occasion of the UAE’S 49th National Day.
He confirmed that the precious occasion holds different meanings that confirm the unity of the UAE’S leadership and people and their march towards a common goal and destiny.
The UAE Pro League chairman explained, “the directives of our wise leadership and honorable Sheikhs stress daily on the importance of this celebration, which highlights the vision of the UAE’S wise leadership and translates their directives that focuses on providing a decent life for citizens and residents who live on the land of peace and harmony, regardless of their nationality.”
He added, “sport is among the important pillars of human building and under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE pays great atention to sports for its big role in building the new generations, promoting values of patriotism, belonging, loyalty, tolerance and teamwork. Therefore, there have been various initiatives over the past years in different fields, especially that of sports and I believe this wouldn’t have been possible without the presence of a strong structure, national cohesion, dedication and enlightened thinking that guide our young nation.”