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Al Jazira regains leadership with a 4-3 hard fought win over Kalba

Abu Dhabi-based Al Jazira came up with a 4-3 hard fought victory over Kalba in the match played yesterday evening, October 27th at the losers' ground to top the standings with 20 points by the end of 'round 8' of the Etisalat Pro-league. The winners still remain the only team who has not lost even a single game since the commence of the league competition, but they were forced to two draws against AlWahda and Al Ahli. On the other hand,Kalba lost in seven rounds and draw only once with Al Ahli. This defeat along with the lone 5-3 win maintained by Dubai team over Al Dhafra on Tuesday October 26th, pushed Kalba to the far end of the ladder with one point.

AL jazira midfielder Ibrahima Diaky scored twice to raise his tally to 8 goals. He opened the score with a long-range shot only 13 minutes into the game to help his side take an early lead. His Brazilian teammate Bare made it 2-0 and then 3-0 in the 18th and 21stminutes to open his tally as it was the first time for him to score since the start of the season. The hosts' striker Gregory pulled one back two minutes before the break to end the first session with a 3-1 lead for the visitors.

The home team returned in the second half to play a balanced game giving Al Jazira hard time hoping to narrow the gap. Their continuous raids yielded a second goal in the 61st minute when Ibrahim Murad capitalized on Simon's pass to slam the ball home. The hosts came close to level the score but Diaky dashed their hopes when he netted the fourth goal in the 78th minute. In spite of the third goal scored by IbrahimMurad 8 minutes before the final whistle, Al Jazirasucceeded to finish the game with a 4-3win.

Earlier in the same day, Al Wahda beat AlShabab 5-2 at Al Nahyan stadium in Abu Dhabi to stay in the fourth place with 15 points while the losers remain in the sixth position with 12 points.Al Wahda took the lead only three minutes from the start when their Brazilian player Hugo scored the quickest goal for his team in the last two seasons. This early goal gave the hosts more confidence, raised their morals and helped them to control the game giving their rivals hard time. Al Shabab made some attempts and createddangerous opportunities but Al Wahda's defense did not allow them to come back to the match. Moreover the winners made things more difficult for their competitors when defender Fahad Masaud collected the ball from the right flank,moved forward to round up two defenders before launching a fierce left footer that beat the custodian Ahmad Mahmoud to make it 2-0. Boosted by this second goal, the home squadplayed in a well organized style putting more pressure on the losers' defense. But Al Shabab did not surrender,making some raids from different angles of the field and their efforts yielded their first goal to reduce the deficit. Mohammed Nasr penetrated from the right flank into the box, he faced the hosts' custodian Adil Al Hosani who stepped out of his goal to save the ball but Naser fired a rocket-like volley that went straight into the net making it 2-1 nine minutes before the break. But Brazilian player Hugo hit a perfect header two minutes later and hapless goalkeeper Ahmed Mahmoud failed to control the ball.

Brazilian player Julio Cisar reduced the deficit off a penalty when he was brought down by Al Wahda defender Mahmoud Khamis in the 71st minute. Ismail Matar created two chances for Brazilian Bayano and defender BasheerSaeed to score two successive goals in the 79th and the 86thminutes to seal the result 5-2 for Al Wahda.

Al Wasl and Al Ain played the concluded game of 'round 8' at the formers' pitch to come up with a 2-2 draw. The two teams demonstrated a balanced and brilliant display in front of a big mass of spectators. Olivera came close to secure an early lead for the home team but his shot was saved by Al Ain goalkeeper. His Spanish colleague netted the first- half-lone goal in the 16th minute to give Al Wasl an early lead. The hosts' defender Saud Saeed cleared the ball before it crosses the goal line when Juma'a Saeed of Al Ain rounded up the goalkeeper MajedNaserand sent the ball towards the empty net.But Juma'a of Al Ain came to level the score 9 minutes after the break and Mohanad Al Anezy made it 2-1 with a header in the 65th minute. Sand was near to add the third goal for the visitors but his shot was blocked by custodian MajedNaser before Yeste scored the equalizer for the home squad in the 80th minute off a penaltyto end the game with a 2-2 draw. Al Wasl slipped to third place with 16 points and Al Ain remains in the 8th position after collecting 10 points.