Al Ain kept the pressure on Sharjah at the top of the Arabian Gulf League after securing a 2-1 home win over 10-man Shabab Al Ahli.
At the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, the hosts broke the deadlock in the 41st minute, when Husain El Shahat converted Tsukasa Shiotani’s well played low cross with a brilliant first-time strike.
The visitors were later reduced to 10 men when Hassan Juma was sent off just before half-time.
Zoran Mamic’s side made the extra man count as three minutes later Caio found Mohamed Abdulrahman near the edge of the box with an accurately crossed free-kick. The UAE international then did the rest as he cleverly volleyed into the back of the net to double Al Ain’s lead.
Luvannor pulled one back for Shabab Al Ahli, when his left-footed curled free-kick went past Al Ain’s goalkeeper Khalid Eissa, reducing the deficit in the 66th minute.
Matchweek 4's penalties:
— Arabian Gulf League (@AGLeague_EN) September 28, 2018
A.Ali vs. @FcDibba: MISSED ❌
M.Batna vs. @BaniyasClub: MISSED ❌
F.Gabriel vs. @SharjahFC: MISSED ❌
Unlucky 😶 pic.twitter.com/cGyn07sZ4A
Meanwhile, Sharjah maintained their perfect start to the season as they thrashed Fujairah 4-0.
Welliton’s sixth goal of the season gave the King the lead after just four minutes before Igor Coronado make it 2-0 just before half-time. The former Palermo man then doubled his tally for the evening with a simply tap-in as Sharjah made it four wins from four.
Meanwhile, Al Nasr are still waiting to register their first points of the season after Ivan Jovanovic’s side suffered a 3-1 defeat to Ittihad Kalba.
Matei Florentin opened the scoring for the hosts before former Manchester City and Valencia striker Alvaro Negredo equalized with his first goal since arriving from Besiktas this month.
Hassan Khamis restored the lead for Ittihad Kalba before Mansour Al Bloushi extended their lead to make it 3-1.
The result means Al Nasr have lost all four of the league games this season.
