Ali Mabkhout hat-trick earns Al Jazira late win over Fujairah

UAE striker scores twice in dying minutes to seal 4-2 victory

Khalifa Al Hammadi reacts after scoring Al Jazira’s opening goal during their 4-2 win over Fujairah. Courtesy PLC

Ali Mabkhout fired a hat-trick to lead Al Jazira to a 4-2 win over Fujairah to maintain their lead at the top of the Arabian Gulf League on Monday.

The result took Jazira’s tally to 47 points, five clear of their closest challengers Baniyas, who play Al Ain on Tuesday.

Khalifa Al Hammadi put Jazira ahead after 10 minutes before Mabkhout doubled the lead from the penalty spot on 24 minutes.

Bilal Yousif pulled a goal back just before the break and Mohamed Mustafa netted the equaliser two minutes into the second half.

The game looked to be heading for a draw until UAE international Mabkhout scored twice at the death to take his Arabian Gulf League tally to 21 goals in 2020/21.

That win followed by Sharjah’s defeat to Shabab Al Ahli 1-0 consolidated Jazira’s position at the top of the table.

Carlos Eduardo's first-half penalty earned Shabab Al Ahli victory over Sharjah to move the Dubai club up to move up to fourth.

Sharjah had an excellent opportunity to level the score when they were awarded a penalty two minutes from time. However, Majed Naser saved Igor Coronado's effort to end Shabab Al Ahli’s six-game winless run against the defending champions.

Al Wasl overcame Ajman 4-2 and Khorfakkan edged out bottom team Hatta 1-0.