Rodolfo Arruabarrena gained revenge at the first time of asking against former club Al Wasl thanks to Henrique Luvannor’s late clincher in a rollercoaster 3-2 win for Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club.
Arruabarrena, 43, was shockingly let go by the Cheetahs in May even though he’d secured successive top-three finishes in the Arabian Gulf League during two seasons in charge. He was then poached by their Dubai rivals during the recent international break after he annulled his contract to coach Qatar Stars League giants Al Rayyan.
The ex-Argentine left-back roared in celebration at Shabab Al Ahli Dubai Club Stadium – Al Awir when substitute Luvannor’s brilliant control during the 81st minute was followed by a punishing low shot into the bottom corner. This made it two top-flight victories from two for him, while handing interim Wasl boss Hassan Al Abdouli a losing start and a fourth-successive loss in all competitions for the club.
The visitors had gone ahead through striker Caio Canedo’s penalty on the half-hour mark. Playmaker Emiliano Vecchio’s spot-kick soon levelled things up and an own goal from Oh Ban-suk put Shabab Al Ahli in front after the interval.
The South Korea centre-back then brilliantly headed in a leveller, only for Moldova forward Luvannor to earn glory for Arruabarrena in the final throes.
