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Al Jazira shine in a strong game to beat Al Wasl 4-3

With a late goal netted by Brazilian substitute Bary in the last minute of injury time, Abu Dhabi-Based Al Jazira collected their first three points in the Etisalat Cup Competition following their 4-3 win over visiting team Al Wasl in the game played this evening at Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Stadium. The two teams played a balanced match that marred by brilliant display and hard work through the entire time. They started the game with great care and reluctant attacks with defenders keeping an eye on the frontlines spoiling all their attempts. But it was the home team Al Jazira who opened the score when they were awarded a penalty by the match referee Ali Hamad only 15 minutes into play when Omani defender Mohammad Al Shaiba fouled Brazilian Olivera inside the six yard area and Diaky made no mistake from the kick spot giving his side an early 1-0 lead. Hamad Al Hosani of Al Wasl squandered a sitter six minutes later when he received a perfect pass from Juan Olivera of Uruguay to send the ball away when he was only two steps from the goal line. His teammate Mohammad Al Shaiba also came close to bring the game to the first square in the 25th minute, but his strong header was saved by Ahmed Juma'a who was standing just on the goal line.

The visitors pressed hard and their continuous work was soon rewarded when their dangerous midfielder Mariano Donda from Argentina sent a strong shot off a stand ball that beat all players and Al Jazira's goalkeeper Khalid Essa to hit the back of the net for the equalizer. Al Wasl's players ran towards their Argentinean coach Diego Maradona and celebrated together for bringing the game back to the first square. But their joy died only four minutes later when Argentinean player Delgado netted the second goal for the home team with a nice volley off a dead ball that beat Al Wasl's goalkeeper Majid Naser and Olivera made it 3-1 in the 36th minute to complicate things for the visiting team when he received a long pass from behind that put him free with only the goalie to beat. He rounded Majid Naser and sent the ball into the empty net. His midfielder colleague Ibrahima Diaky was to make it 4-1, but his strong volley rebounded off the upright three minutes before the break.

Al Wasl reduced the deficit five minutes after the breather off a penalty when Al Jazira's defender Khalid Sabil touched the ball with his hand inside the box and Mariano Donda of Argentina slammed it home to make it 3-2 in the 50th minute.  Juan Olivera of Uruguay lost a chance two minutes later when his shot hit the upright and cleared away by a defender and Ahmad Jama'a also squandered another chance for the winners five minutes later. He was replaced in the 61st minute when the team's coach fielded in Brazilian Bari. Al Jazira's goalie Khalid Essa and Subait Khatir saved two chances in the 67th and 69th minutes respectively. But Mariano Donda scored the equalizer in the 74th minute and Juan Olivera was close to make it 4-3 for Al Wasl ,but his close-range shot rebounded off the upright 8 minutes from the final whistle and Al Jazira's custodian deprived him from scoring the fourth goal in another occasion.

At the time the game was heading for a draw, Bare succeeded in netting the winner for the home team with a perfect header to give his side a hard fought 4-3 win.