Habib Fardan’s brace helped Al Nasr to a 3-0 win at relegated Dubai and a place in the Arabian Gulf League top five.
Having seen Al Ain sneak ahead of them with their 1-0 defeat of Al Wasl on Friday night, Nasr did not seem to be in the mood to surrender fifth place permanently, with Fardan opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time.
The UAE international midfielder was on hand to head home a Mahmoud Khamis free kick, and he would double his and his team’s tally from the penalty spot within five minutes of the restart, as Helal Saeed was brought down in the area.
Defender Saeed then headed home another Khamis set piece to make sure of victory.
The result means that the Blue Wave drew level on points with Al Shabab, although they remain fifth due to their head-to-head record with their neighbours this season.
Dubai had long been consigned to relegation from the Arabian Gulf League but defeat last night means they could be relegated bottom of the league, if Al Shaab beat Al Wahda today.
Wahda need just a point from that game, though, to make sure of second place and a place in the AFC Champions League group stage in 2015.
Jose Peseiro’s side are unbeaten in nine games since a 2-1 reverse at Emirates on January 23. That run has seen them come from nowhere to stand on the verge of Asian qualification.
