Al Wahda moved within touching distance of an automatic spot in next season's Asian Champions League after goals from Mohamed Al Shehhi and Damian Diaz secured a 2-0 win against 10-man Dubai.
The capital side's quest to secure a fifth-successive Arabian Gulf League win got off to the perfect start when Al Shehhi finished with aplomb to claim his first strike of the campaign.
Already-relegated Dubai threatened throughout, with Wahda only securing all three points and a move into second place when Diaz's deflected strike provided a scruffy finish to an outstanding individual break on the hour mark.
The Asian Football Federation's qualifying criteria will be finalised in November, but Wahda now look likely to seal a return to the continent's elite club competition for the first time since 2010 if they avoid defeat in next week's final AGL game at bottom-placed Al Shaab.
The Nahyan Stadium felt like an oven, with the energy-sapping 32C late-night heat keeping play one-paced.
Wahda excelled in the space afforded by the lack of pressing, and soon went ahead. Winger Al Shehhi was the scorer, providing an accomplished low finish on the run past Yousuf Ahmed following a delightful Diaz throughball.
Despite UAE Division 1 Group A football already being guaranteed for Dubai next season they were not without chances, with Gilles Yapi Yapo firing a warning shot into the side netting.
Wahda coach Jose Peseiro cut a peripatetic figure on the touchline, berating his team for a lack of intensity.
The vigilant Portuguese could not hide his frustration when Al Shehhi curled an effort wide of the right post, after a stylish interchange with Ismael Matar.
Peseiro then nearly reached breaking point when lively Dubai forward Jehad Fadel forced Ali Alhosani to charge out and save with his legs.
Wahda bossed possession after the break, finally calming their boss' nerves when crowd-favourite Diaz's effort trickled in to double the lead on the hour mark Red-hot home striker Sebastian Tagliabue offered up a collector's item soon after, spurning the opportunity to get his 11th goal in five games after shooting straight at Ahmed from five yards.
Ismael Ahmed almost earned a late lifeline for the visitors, when his free-kick scratched the edge of the post. Mohamed Ismail then received his marching orders for a second yellow card in injury time.
The final whistle brought a sigh of relief from Peseiro, as his players all-but-guaranteed a celebratory end to the season for the much-improved outfit.
