Al Wahda’s flying start to the season continued on Sunday night when Adil Hermach produced a late winner to lead the Abu Dhabi side to a 2-1 victory over previously unbeaten Al Shabab.
In a battle of the top two – with Al Wahda holding a one point lead over Shabab prior to the encounter, albeit having played an extra game – the Dubai club took the lead midway through the second-half through Chilean midfielder Carlos Villanueva.
It took until the 80th minute for Al Wahda to find the equaliser as Salem Saleh came off the bench to fire home.
With the game entering its final stages, Morocco international Hermach produced the winner with five minutes remaining to ensure Al Wahda remain at the top of the table with their unbeaten record intact.
While Al Wahda are enjoying a wonderful start to the season, the same cannot be said of reigning champions Al Ahli, who were held to a 1-1 draw at newly-promoted Fujairah.
Algeria captain Madjid Bouguerra opened the scoring for Fujairah in the 30th minute before Luis Jimenez equalised for Al Ahli with 28 minutes left to play.
So often unstoppable in their march to the title last season, the Red Knights have won just two of their opening five games and find themselves in fifth place, five points off the leaders.
Elsewhere, Bani Yas are still searching for their first win of the season after they were denied victory at Sharjah by a late Leo Lima penalty.
Naser Ahmed had scored for Bani Yas in the 10th minute, although the Abu Dhabi club were unable to hold on for a precious victory.
