Rayan Yaslam nets winner as Al Ain edge closer to Sharjah

Dubai side beat Al Wahda 1-0

Dutch forward Brandley Kuwas (17) is challenged by a couple of Baniyas players in Nasr’s 1-0 win in the Arabian Gulf League at the Al Maktoum stadium in Dubai on Friday, November 27, 2020. Courtesy PLShow more

Al Nasr took advantage of Sharjah’s stalemate against struggling Khorfakkan to narrow  the gap on the Arabian Gulf League leaders with a narrow 1-0 win over Baniyas.

Diaa Saba netted the winner for the Dubai side in their Round-7 meeting at the Al Maktoum stadium on Friday.

Nasr broke the deadlock on 57 minutes when the Israeli midfielder scored from a fiercely struck free kick into the far corner of Baniyas goalkeeper Fahad Al Dhanhani’s net that took his side to 16 points, three behind Sharjah.

Nasr were prevented from winning more convincingly by Al Dhanhani's good work between the posts.

The Baniyas keeper did well to intercept a back-heel pass from Sebastian Tagliabue to Brandley Kuwas and continued to impress as he diverted Portuguese midfielder Toze’s effort.

Kalba secured their fourth win to take their tally to 12 and move to seventh spot with a  2-1 victory at Al Dhafra.

In the late game at the Hazza bin Zayed stadium, Rayan Yaslam netted the winner for Al Ain to edge out Al Wahda 1-0.

Al Ain broke the deadlock in the 64th minute, Tsukasa Shiotani crossing for Yaslam to find the net from inside the area.

Wahda were unfortunate as Khamis Ismail’s lob over Al Ain keeper Khalid Eisa hit the bar while Ismail Matar's attempt also crashed against the woodwork before Tahnoon Al Zaabi sent the rebound high.

Wahda thought they levelled the scoreline 15 minutes from time, but Khalil Ibrahim’s effort was ruled out for a handball after a review.

Following the win, Al Ain moved to fourth spot on 14 points, one above Wahda in fifth.