(MENAFN - Khaleej Times) Al Nasr returned to the winning ways with an easy 4-1 victory over Dubai as third runners up Bani Yas survived a scare to claim a last minute 2-1 victory over Dibba Al Fujairah in the Etisalat Pro League. Nawaf Mubarak headed home the winner in the 88th second of the closely contested clash.
Andre Senghore sent a lovely overhead to Mibarak who was perfectly poised inside the box to slot in the winner with a good sense of the opportunity.
On Saturday Al Ahli returned to the winning ways with an easy 3-0 victory over promoted Ittihad Kalba. The Red Knights maintained their 4th position and stayed in hunt for the title after raising their tally to 33 points to settle on the heels of the top three sides. Al Ahli made their intentions clear within the first 15 minutes as Ahmad Khalil caused trouble for Kalba's defense. The UAE national team striker was viciously brought down by Kalba's goalkeeper.
Grafite stepped up to dispatch home from the ensuing spot kick, making it 1-0 to Al Ahli and scoring his 20th goal of the season; just one behind the League's top scorer Asamoah Gyan. Kalba mustered up a few shots on target, with the most notable coming from Edward Sadomba. But Al Ahli continued to prove their strength, with the dangerous Ismael Al Hammadi, Grafite and Ahmad Khalil constantly causing problems, and showing their capabilities even without injured Ricardo Quaresma and Luis Jiminez.
It was Ahmad Khalil who moved Al Ahli a step closer to victory in the 34th minute, staking a claim to keep his place in the starting lineup even when the absent attackers return. Khalil was set away by a pass from Al Hammadi, and the striker finished coolly with his left foot, rolling the ball across goal and slotting home to put his side 2-0 up, and this was how the score remained at half-time.
Al Ahli's continued to press their opponents and their efforts finally paid off as they added a third goal in the 75th minute. The ever-productive Al Hammadi set Grafite away down the right, and the Brazilian did well to square the ball through the goalkeeper's legs and across the face of goal from the byline, leaving the onrushing Adnan Hussain to score a simple tap-in and make it 3-0 for the home side.
By Hisham Al Gizouli
