Al Ain, who have lost three of their last four games, face a trip to famous old foes Al Jazira on Saturday and Cosmin Olaroiu’s men scored through resurgent forward Ciel and South Korean defender Kwon Kyung-won last night to open up some daylight between them and the Boss.
After a goalless first half, Ciel needed just 25 seconds of the second half to put the Red Knights ahead, Asian player of the year Ahmed Khalil holding off a challenge to feed the Brazilian, who buried a first-time finish into the bottom corner from just inside the box.
Kwon then put Ciel through on goal but his tame effort was saved by Dibba goalkeeper Humaid Abdulla, and the defender settled the game in the 76th minute with a low rocket.
Habib Fardan’s late free-kick struck a post as Ahli cruised home.
Al Wahda struck four times in the last 30 minutes to keep their AFC Champions League qualification dreams alive with a 4-1 win at home against doomed Al Shaab.
Abdulla Eissa had given the visitors to Al Nahyan Stadium an unlikely lead just after half-time, but the hosts roared back, 19-year-old striker Mohamed Alakbari equalising on the hour mark.
He scored his and the Clarets’ second with 12 minutes remaining to give Javier Aguirre’s side the lead before Argentine Sebastian Tagliabue secured the points inside the last five minutes with his 18th and 19th league goals of the season, his first a header from an Ismail Matar corner before slotting a second after latching onto Sultan Alghaferi’s pass.
Al Wasl’s final game at Zabeel Stadium ended on a low note as they had to settle for a 1-1 draw with visiting Emirates Club.
Rodrigo Pimpao opened the scoring in the 56th minute for the visitors, Fabio de Lima equalising for the Cheetahs 16 minutes before time as Gabriel Calderon’s men at least usurped Al Nasr in third place, temporarily at least.
Elsewhere, Wanderley’s late brace secured three points for Sharjah as they won 3-1 at home against Fujairah.
The hosts took the lead through Abdulla Ahmed just before half-time but Hassan Matouk leveled the scores just past the hour mark.
Brazilian Wanderley restored the King’s lead with 10 minutes left and wrapped things up with his second in added time as they climbed to ninth.
