Caique strikes late to rescue point for Al Nasr against Al Wahda

Captain Mahmoud Khamis regrets missed chances

Al Wahda’s Paul Mpuko is challenged by Al Nasr’s Diaa Sabah in the Arabian Gulf League Round-12 at the Al Maktoum stadium on Friday, January 1, 2021. Courtesy PLC

Al Nasr salvaged a point thanks to an added time goal from Brazilian forward Caique in a 2-2 draw against Al Wahda in Round 12 of the Arabian Gulf League.

The home side led with a ninth-minute strike from Israel signing Diaa Sabah before Paul Mpoku netted the equaliser for Wahda four minutes into the second half.

Korean midfielder Lee Myung-joo put the visitors in front on 59 minutes but they couldn’t hold on as Caique struck a minute into added time at the Al Maktoum stadium on Friday.

Nasr goalkeeper Ahmed Shambih did well to save a spot kick from Mpoku on 38 minutes.

The Nasr captain Mahmoud Khamis felt his side missed on an opportunity to win in a game that saw them miss a few opportunities and a second half strike from Sebastian Tagliabue ruled out by VAR for offside.

“We didn’t have much luck tonight,” Khamis said. “We started well and scored an early goal.

“We are challenging for the title and I thought we missed an opportunity. We could have doubled the lead from the chances we created and then had a few chances in the second half.”

Nasr remained in third position, five points behind the leaders Sharjah and three behind the second placed Al Jazira.

Wahda captain Ismail Matar his young side was “satisfied” to return with an away point.

“We have a lot of young players and it was a satisfying performance considering we have a lot of youngsters in the side,” he said.

Shabab Al Ahli rallied from two goals down to earn a 2-2 result against 10-man Al Wasl at the Zabeel stadium.

Joao Figueiredo found the net twice in the third and 14th minutes but they were reduced to ten men when defender Abdulrahman Saleh was given a straight red for a tackle.

Shabab Al Ahli returned from the break better organised and Brazilian forward Carlos Eduardo found the net twice in 49 and 56 minutes, but they failed to force a first win in three games under new manager Mahdi Ali.

Baniyas eased to a 3-1 victory over Al Dhafra at home to take their tally to 23 and move to fourth spot

Sultan Al Shamsi and Suhail Alnoobi scored first half goals and Brazilian Joao Pedro made it three before Saeed Al Katheeri pulled one back on 65 minutes.