Nothing can separate AGL rivals Al Jazira and Wahda

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  • Al Wahda levelled at the death to claim a 1-1 draw with Al Jazira.

    There remains precious little to separate Abu Dhabi rivals Al Jazira and Al Wahda. Even when Mirko Vucinic scored an 87th-minute opener for the hosts, a leveller was soon secured.

    A low-tempo top-of-the-table clash at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium came to life at the death, rust caused by a month-long Arabian Gulf League sojourn for the Gulf Cup taking a long time to shake off.

    Vucinic, once again, looked to be the match winner for the Pride of Abu Dhabi. When the 14-goal top scorer stretched to flick in while falling there seemed no way back for leaders Wahda, a first defeat since January 23 looked assured.

    That view countenanced everything that makes Jose Peseiro’s men creditable title challengers.

    Defender Hussain Fadel epitomised their desire. Despite nursing an injury from Kuwait’s Gulf Cup exploits, he was first on the scene to tap in 120 seconds later after Ali Khaseif spilled Sebastian Tagliabue’s half-volley.

    Avoid a loss on Thursday against Al Dhafra and their top-flight unbeaten run will be stretched to 20, remarkable for this helter-skelter division.

    For Jazira, the question of their flimsy defence remains. Only moments remained to secure just a third clean sheet of the season, but unsurprisingly a side whose record is only superior to the bottom three could not hold on.

    Prior to the heart-racing end, the only spark had been provided by the cascading fireworks set off in the 43rd minute as part of Jazira’s National Day celebrations.

    The result suited the visiting Clarets. They remain top, a point separating them from last night’s better-resourced and more glamorous opponents.

    A fixture list squeezed to breaking point by the Gulf Cup and Asian Cup provides hope of a champion coming from outside the traditional heavyweights this season.

    The draining effect of the latter competition was seen in a low-key evening for the Pride of Abu Dhabi’s UAE stars, Khaleej Golden Boot-winner Ali Mabkhout notably off-colour.

    Wahda boss Jose Peseiro has fewer international players, continuity of selection remains on his side. The Portuguese chose patience when handling his Whites players, veteran Ismail Matar and ‘24th man’ Amer Omar both late substitutes.

    The first half was a tense affair, the combatants probing to create space. A glaring chance was missed by both, Mohamed Al Shehhi failing to convert a Tagliabue cross from close range and Vucinic shooting a rebound straight at Wahda goalkeeper Adel Al Hosani.

    The energy levels dropped after the break. There was no hint of what was to come.

    Playmaker Manuel Lanzini had tried to craft an opening all evening without effect. His class showed when his chipped ball played Vucinic in, the three-time Serie A title winner with Juventus stretching to convert under pressure.

    All Jazira had to do was keep it tight. Yet again, they proved such a task is beyond them.

    Adel Hermach’s deep cross caused chaos, last season 28-goal marksman Tagliabue left unmarked to force the spill which Fadel pounced on.

    Other AGL results

    Al Fujairah 0-7 Bani Yas
    Al Ain 1-1 Al Nasr
    Al Ahli 0-1 Emirates

    Here are Bani Yas' seven goals: 

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