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Upsets in the first night of Etisalat Pro-League Week 9 matches

Abu Dhabi-based Al Jazira continued their winning streak last night following their 2-0 victory over hosts Al Shabab in the concluding match of the first day of Week 9of the Etisalat Pro-League.

The winners enjoyed their seventh victory, which along with two draws, raises their tally to 23 points to stay on top of the standings. The home squad however are currently in 6th position with 12 points and may slip down even further if Sharjah overcome Bani Yas in their match tonight. Ibrahima Diaky scored both goals for the visiting team to raise his season tally to 10 goals. Al Jazira played the last 30 minutes with only ten players after substitute Tony was given marching orders after collecting two yellow cards. His team will miss his efforts in the next game when they are set to host Al Ain

Diaky gave his team the lead only four minutes into the game to end the first half with a 1-0 win for Al Jazira. Both teams played a balanced game squandering a number of chances with the two keepers making good saves. The hosts made some good attempts and fought hard to level the game but failed to capitalize on all the chances that came their way. Diaky then dashed their hopes altogether when he drove the ball home in the 92nd minute to secure the three points for his side.

Earlier in the day the Etisalat Pro-League experienced some major upsets, with Kalba registering their first victory of the season following their 4-1 win over hosts Al Ain at Tahnoon Bin Mohammed stadium in Qattara. In spite of scoring an early goal in the 4th minute with a perfect header from their defender Faris Juma'a, Al Ain failed to keep their lead after committing many errors, especially in their back line, giving their contenders a good chance to surprise them with a goal. The visitors launched many counter attacks, giving Al Ain defenders a hard time. Their French player Gregory was put clear by Salim Jasim with a long pass, he found himself with only the goalkeeper to beat and he  succeeded by slaming the ball home making it 1-1 in the 26th minute. The two teams kept the same score through to the end of the first half as they both failed to add more goals.

Al Ain played carelessly after the break. Moreover they committed many blunders in their defensive line that cost them. Kalba's Jasim came to add two goals in the 55th and 75th minutes off clear attacks. His colleague Simony made it 4-1 three minutes before the end of the game off a penalty when Al Ain's goalkeeper Dawood Sulaiman brought Gregory down inside the box.

In the other upset of the day, Dubai maintained their second win in the competition beating Al Wasl 2-1 to collect their 6th point while the losers are still in 3rd position with 16 points. Darweesh Ahmad put Al Wasl in front when he scored their only goal in the fourth minute, but Kamara  pulled one back in the 48th minute and his teammate Hassan Abdul Rahman netted the winner in the 62nd minute to give Dubai a deserved 2-1 win.