Al Wasl grab last-gasp winner in thrilling Bur Dubai derby against Al Nasr

Al Wasl (yelow) vs Al Nasr (blue) during an Arabian Gulf League football match on Jan 28, 2016 (Courtesy AGL)

Al Wasl 3 Al Nasr 2

Al Wasl Viana 10', De Lima 24', Caio 90'

Al Nasr Nilmar 55' Khamis 62'

Red card Waheed Ismail (Wasl)

Story of the match

DUBAI // A frantic Dubai derby that had more at stake than simple bragging rights concluded with a last-gasp victory for Al Wasl.

Caio sealed it for the hosts, pouncing in the final minute to clinch a 3-2 win and break Al Nasr hearts, keeping calm when all around him they lost their heads. Slipped in at the death, the Brazilian coolly slotted home to spark wild scenes at the Zabeel Stadium on Thursday night.

Somehow Wasl stole the points, despite surrendering a two-goal lead and being reduced to 10 men for almost an hour. Crucially, having survived a stirring comeback from Nasr, they moved within two points of their third-placed rivals in the Arabian Gulf League table.

Wasl took the lead through Hugo Viano and Fabio de Lima, but were soon a man down, when captain Waheed Ismail received a second yellow card in a matter of minutes for blocking Jonathan Pitroipa’s shot with his hand. He promptly disappeared down the tunnel.

However, Jires Kembo Ekoko was twice thwarted by home goalkeeper Rashid Ali, although the Nasr striker should have stroked home the rebound after his penalty was initially blocked.

Wasl’s reprieve was only temporary, though. Ten minutes into the second half, Nilmar prodded home a loose ball inside the area and then substitute Ahmed Khamis drew Nasr level. Khamis was making his debut following his recent transfer from Baniyas.

He should have secured victory for his new side, but with only one minute left on the clock, he inexplicably sent the ball high over the Wasl bar from underneath the crossbar.

But there was still time for Wasl to snatch the spoils, Caio finding the net and setting off towards the large home support stationed behind the Nasr goal. The celebrations continued long after the whistle, and most likely, deep into the night.

Read more: Kenwyne Jones to Jazira, Khamis Esmail to Ahli and the eight biggest AGL winter transfers

Man of the match

Rashid Ali The Wasl goalkeeper made an early save from Nilmar and then a double block from Ekoko's penalty. His quick reactions kept the hosts in the game and provided the platform for Caio to win it late on.

What they said

Gabriel Calderon, Wasl manager: "Congratulations to my team, they played a fantastic match and deserved these three points. We had the match under control 200 per cent, but after the penalty and the red card everything changed. But the team showed fantastic spirit, a fantastic mentality, and we got the victory. I'm very happy for this."

Ivan Jovanovic, Nasr coach: "It was a very good and interesting match. We tried a lot in today's game, all of my players. In such games in football it's the team who scores the last goal, but unfortunately we couldn't get it. Of course, we made our mistakes, but on the contrary there was a lot of effort form the players to try and chase the game. But in the end we lost."

The National’s verdict

A dramatic derby was gifted a suitably frenetic conclusion, with Wasl consolidating their position in fourth and moving closer to that top-three spot. Nasr cannot be too disheartened, however difficult the defeat is to take, although they must start stronger in future.

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