Al Nasr dropped vital points in the Arabian Gulf League title race after Makhete Diop popped up at the death to punish Amer Mubarak’s moment of madness and secure a 1-1 draw for Al Dhafra on Friday.
The Blue Wave came into round 15 in third place, nine points behind leaders Al Ain. The visit of a side locked in the relegation zone should have presented the perfect opportunity to keep up the pace. But defensive midfielder Mubarak hamstrung this attempt, being dismissed for a second yellow card in just the 20th minute after scything down Syria forward Omar Khribin.
Nasr initially rebounded, Western Knights debutant Issam El Adoua soon clumsily felling winger Jonathan Pitroipa in the penalty box. Forward Jires Kembo Ekoko then stepped up to notch his fourth top-flight goal in 2015-16.
However, Dhafra dug in and finally made their numerical advantage count in the 86th minute as Senegal target man Diop rose highest to nod in UAE forward Ahmed Ali’s lofted centre.
Meanwhile, Fujairah increased bottom-placed Al Shaab’s misery as doubles from Patrick Eze and Khalil Khamei earned an entertaining 6-3 away win.
The goal fest began in a painful manner for new Commandos signing Ismail Aljasmi, who headed into his own goal in the 14th minute.
Brazilian forwards Ze Eduardo and Marcos de Santana then turned the match around for the hosts. Incredibly, Eze struck from a rebound and headed in Christoph Mandanne’s cross to make it 3-2 to the visitors at the break.
Khameis and Mandanne made it 5-2 by the 77th minute to take the game away from Shaab. De Santana added some gloss to the score, before Khameis completed the rout.
Kenwyne Jones nodded in his first Al Jazira goal but was denied a match-winner by Wanderley’s excellent leveller for Sharjah.
Jones, 31, beat on-rushing goalkeeper Rashid Ahmed to a deep Thiago Neves ball to open his account following a six-month loan move from Cardiff City.
The lead was only to last five minutes as brilliant Brazilian Wanderley forced home his ninth goal this term. He skilfully evaded young left-back Saeed Hizam’s challenge before slotting into the bottom corner of returning keeper Ali Khaseif’s goal. Bani Yas’ attempt to kick-start their season ended in more frustration as Bakary Kone struck a late leveller for Dibba Al Fujairah.
It took until 76 minutes for the deadlock to be broken at Fujairah Stadium, Argentine centre forward Joaquin Larrivey heading in an 11th goal in 19 appearances for the Sky Blues since a summer switch from Celta Vigo.
A second victory in 10 top-flight matches was then denied after Ivorian midfelder Kone fired home from the edge of the area to earn a 1-1 draw for the promoted side.
