Welliton stole the show with four goals as Sharjah went top of the Arabian Gulf League after running rampant against Al Nasr in their 6-3 victory on Friday.
The Brazilian opened the scoring in the eighth minute from the penalty spot after Nasr defender Mubarak Saeed handled the ball. The hosts doubled their tally seven minutes later when Igor Coronado converted from the spot after being fouled.
Sharjah continued to press forward and Welliton made it three for Sharjah just before the half-hour mark when he headed home a corner. There was still time for the 31-year-old to complete his hat-trick before half-time and the forward made it 4-0 in style as he netted home a rebound after Nasr goalkeeper Mohammed Yousef stopped a long-range effort.
Ivan Jovanovic and Nasr fans were left stunned when Ryan Mendes’ superb solo strike made it 5-0 to Sharjah.
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Before the referee blew his half-time whistle, there was some hope for the visitors when former Newcastle and PSG midfielder Yohan Cabaye and Igor Lirio’s penalty made it 5-2.
Sharjah were given a brief scare when Marcos Gabriel made it 5-3, seven minutes after the restart. But that proved to be the last goal for Nasr as Welliton struck his fourth goal four minutes from time.
It was Sharjah’s second consecutive victory while Jovanovic is still searching for his first league win of the season.
Meanwhile, Sebastian Tagliabue netted twice as Al Wahda came from behind to win 4-1 against Dibba – a result that leaves them second in the league. Mourad Batna cancelled out Ahmed Khameis’ opener before Tagliabue gave the Clarets the lead. Leonardo converted from the spot to make it 3-1 before Tagliabue doubled his tally for the evening.
In other results, Bani Yas were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Al Wasl while Kalba defeated Emirates 2-0.
