Arabian Gulf League Match Day 13 Review

Bani Yas 1-1 Al Shabab



10-man Bani Yas battled to take a point away from their Arabian Gulf League Round 13 encounter with 2nd-placed Al Shabab at the Baniyas Stadium on Thursday evening. A spectacular overhead kick from Carlos Muñoz had given the hosts an early lead in the game but after just 17 minutes their goalkeeper saw red and the Sky Blues were forced to survive a large proportion of the game a man down. Edgar Bruno equalised from the penalty spot for Al Shabab before missing a second spot kick which could have won it, and the points were shared. Bani Yas now have 17 points following the determined draw, whilst Al Shabab have 26 points and remain 2nd in the table.

Sharjah 1-1 Al Jazira



Sharjah hit a last-minute equaliser to share the points with 10-man Al Jazira in Round 13 of the Arabian Gulf League on Thursday night. Al Jazira had been ahead through Abdelaziz Barrada’s goal but a missed penalty by Ricardo Oliveira and a red card for Khalid Sabeal lead to Al Jazira conceding a late Sharjah equaliser by Ze Carlos. The result means the two teams stay as they were; with Al Jazira 3rd on 23 points and Sharjah 4th on the same number.

Emirates 1-1 Ajman


Emirates and Ajman finished all square with a 1-1 draw at the Emirates Club Stadium in Round 13 of the Arabian Gulf League on Thursday night. The result means little changes in the lower reaches of the table for either side, as Emirates now have 11 points and stay 11th, whilst Ajman temporarily move off the bottom with 8 points. Emirates took the lead just before the half hour mark as Jair set up Brazilian striker Luiz Henrique to make it 1-0 in the 29th minute. But Ajman hit back with an equaliser before half time, as Simon Feindouno continued his recent goalscoring form by hitting the leveler in the 38th minute, sending the teams into the half-time break neck and neck at 1-1.

Al Ahli 3-1 Al Dhafra



Al Ahli got 2014 off to a winning start with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Al Dhafra in Round 13 of the Arabian Gulf League on Friday night, to end the first half of the season top of the table with a 6 point lead on their nearest chasers. First half goals from Grafite, Ismaeel Al Hammadi and Hugo Viana won the game for the Red Knights at the Rashid Stadium, with Makhete Diop’s late header a mere consolation for Al Dhafra, who remain on 16 points.

Al Wahda 2-0 Al Shaab



Al Wahda made considerable strides up the table with a 2-0 win over Al Shaab in Round 13 of the Arabian Gulf League, bringing their halfway points total to 18. Goals from Marco Estrada and Sebastian Tagliabue at the Al Nahyan Stadium condemned Al Shaab to their 10th defeat of the season, leaving them bottom of the standings on 7 points after 13 rounds.

Al Nasr 5-1 Dubai



Al Nasr started the New Year in style by strolling past Dubai 5-1 in Round 13 of the Arabian Gulf League. Saoud Saeed, Habib Al Fardan and Brett Holman were all on the scoresheet and Ibrahima Toure netted a brace at the Al Maktoum Stadium, whilst Jehad Al Hussain’s strike for Dubai proved to be a mere consolation. The result sees Al Nasr finish the first half of the season on 23 points – level with Sharjah and Al Jazira – whilst Dubai face a struggle at the start of 2014 as they stay 12th on 8 points.

Al Ain 3-0 Al Wasl



Al Ain got the New Year off to a positive start with a 3-0 win over Al Wasl in Round 13 of the Arabian Gulf League. Goals from Asamoah Gyan, Mohanad Salem and Alex Brosque at the Tahnon bin Mohamed Stadium ensured that The Boss end the first half of the season on 21 points, whilst Al Wasl remain on 17 points.

FULL LEAGUE TABLE