Sharjah and Al Jazira settle for draws in Arabian Gulf League

League toppers allow chasing pack to close the gap

Baniyas’ Brazilian forward Joao Pedro against Al Jazira in their Arabian Gulf League Week-17 match at the Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium. Courtesy PLC

Sharjah and Al Jazira, the top two teams in the Arabian Gulf League, were both held to to draws in Week-17, allowing the chasing pack to close in.

Al Dhafra held Sharjah to a 1-1 result but Jazira failed to capitalise on that, as they were held to a 3-3 draw by third placed Baniyas in the late game on Thursday.

In fact, Jazira were rescued by a late strike from substitute Imoh Ezekiel after going up 2-0 at Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium.

Bradley Kuwas put the host ahead with a left-footed effort on nine minutes and Ali Mabkhout doubled the lead five minutes later before Joao Pedro pulled one back for Baniyas shortly before half time.

The visitors kicked off the second half in an emphatic fashion as Nicolas Gimenez netted two quick-fire goals to hand his side the lead.

The Argentine midfielder scored the equaliser in the 48th minute, before putting his side in front with a second goal two minutes later.

Jazira made a late comeback when their Nigerian forward Ezekiel netted the equaliser in the fourth minute of injury time.

Earlier, Sharjah’s Brazilian forward Welliton Soares scored off a rebound to put his side in the lead on 32 minutes but their joy was short-lived as Pedro Conde cancelled it with a spot kick.

Al Nasr moved to fourth spot after a 3-0 away won over Ajman while Shabab Al Ahli returned with full points from Hatta after late strikes from Yahya Al Ghassani and Mohammed Juma Eid gave them a 2-1 win to take fifth spot.

Sharjah and Jazira are on 37 points each but the defending champions head the league table. Baniyas are four points below them in third followed by Nasr (30) and Shabab Al Ahli (29).