Baniyas rally from behind to keep the pressure on Al Jazira in Arabian Gulf League

Joao Pedro nets winner against Al Ain

Baniyas’ Argentine midfielder Gaston Suarez goes on the attack in their 2-1 win over Al Ain in the Arabian Gulf League at the Hazza bin Zayed stadium on Tuesday, March 17. Courtesy PLC

Baniyas maintained their grip on second spot behind Al Jazira in the Arabian Gulf League after two second half goals saw them beat Al Ain 2-1.

Sultan Al Shamsi fired a long-range shot past goalkeeper Khalid Eisa six minutes into the second half before Joao Pedro struck the winner on 78 minutes in match week 21 at the Hazza bin Zayed stadium on Tuesday.

The home side got off to the perfect start as Laba Kodjo opened the scoring four minutes in with an excellent strike from outside the box as Al Ain went into the break leading 1-0.

Baniyas’ fourth win on the trot took their tally to 45 points, two behind Jazira. Sharjah are in third on 40 after the defending champions suffered a 1-0 defeat to Shabab Al Ahli the previous night.

Al Ain failed to keep the momentum going after their 4-0 win over Al Wahda as they succumbed to their fifth defeat of the season and stayed sixth with 34 points, five behind  fourth-placed Al Nasr.

Glauber Lima fired a late winner for Nasr to clinch 2-1 win over Kalba at the Al Maktoum stadium.

The home side broke the deadlock in the 38th minute when Ryan Mendes' found the unmarked Sebastian Tagliabue to tap the ball in to the back of the net.

Kalba levelled nine minutes after the restart when Peniel Mlapa latched on to an Ahmed Jshak pass. Lima came off the bench to net the winner two minutes from time.

Wahda recorded a 3-0 win over Al Dhafra in the other game. Omar Khrbin and Abdulla Hamad found the net in the first half before Tim Matavz sealed the points on 78 minutes.