At the 17th time of asking, the Arabian Gulf League’s bottom-placed club finally tasted victory as they saw off a woeful Al Dhafra 2-0 in Saturday’s Arabian Gulf League basement battle.
The Commandos dominated at their Khalifa bin Mohamed Stadium, outstanding centre-back Ismail Aljesmi’s glancing header and striker Ze Eduardo’s pin-point low finish seeing them prevail.
The situation is still bleak, with 12 points separating them from safety and nine matches left to play. But for once, they have a glimmer of hope.
It is now up to boss Walter Zenga to utilise his experience if he is to pull off the greatest escape act in UAE history, starting with Saturday’s daunting trip to fourth-placed Al Wasl.
This was a game which could not have gone much worse for the Western Knights, substitute Hamad Al Ahbabi’s late dismissal for pushing Ze Eduardo in the face summing up an appalling night.
A glaring chance to close on Sharjah and Emirates Club against the weakest opponents in the division was passed during a toothless display which bore none of the hallmarks of the preceding draws against high-flyers Al Nasr and Al Ahli.
Centre forward Makhete Diop was dominated by the excellent Aljesmi from the off, while last weekend’s hero Omar Khrbin failed to provide an adequate supply line.
Shaab dug in during a tense start and their discipline gained appropriate reward on 41 minutes.
Winger Sultan Saif had two bites at a delivery as Diop failed to properly clear a free-kick, his second cross being glanced in by Aljesmi as ponderous Morocco centre-back Issam El Adoua appealed unsuccessfully for offside.
And Shaab remained the more vibrant team after the break.
Their approach was rewarded again on 54 minutes as former Santos and Genoa front man Ze Eduardo tucked his second AGL goal into the bottom corner after winger Abdulla Aljamhi burst clear on the counter-attack.
Dhafra failed to rouse from their stupor, a pair of snapped efforts from ex-Al Wahda midfielder Adil Hermach the only highlights against opponents previously without a top-flight clean sheet.
They must come to life soon if they are to prevent this clash being remembered as one played out between both relegated teams.
