Al Shabab moved up to second in the Arabian Gulf League table with a narrow win over relegation battlers Al Shaab on Friday night.
An Edgar Bruno header at the Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum Stadium proved enough for Marcos Paqueta’s men, who climb above Al Jazira – held by Al Dhafra on Thursday – on goal difference.
The encounter was far from a classic, but Shabab never looked in danger of losing despite passing up a number of goal-scoring opportunities in the first half.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 68th minute when Bruno rose to meet a Dawood Ali cross to score his 12th league goal of the season.
As it stands, Al Shabab move to within six points of league champions-in-waiting Al Ahli.
In the other early evening kick-off, Sharjah maintained their fight for a top-four place thanks to a second-half blitz against Dubai Club.
It took until the 73rd minute for Sharjah to break down Dubai through a Yousif Saeed Juma goal. Six minutes later, the hosts doubled their lead from the spot when Salem Khamis converted after Omar Juma was fouled by Ali Al Dhaheri.
Ahmed Khamis completed the scoring in the 90th minute when he squeezed his effort in from close range.
The result moves Sharjah level on points with Al Jazira and five points clear of fifth placed Al Wahda.
