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Bani Yas hold hosts Al Jazira 2-2 to move on top

 

The visiting team Bani Yas held hosts Al Jazira to a 2-2 draw in the Etisalat Cup 7th round tonight’s match at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The winners moved two steps forward to go on top of Group “ B” with 10 points while the losers Al Jazira are at 4th place with 7 points.

The two teams put up a strong start trying to score an early goal but their continuous attempts were spoiled by the defenders and the duo goalkeepers. But the home team looked more enthusiastic to win full points and their hard work was soon rewarded when the Brazilian striker Fernandenho gave them the lead after 18 minutes from the starting whistle. He received a lovely pass from his countryman Ricardo Oliveira who put him free with only the custodian to beat. Fernandenho rounded up the keeper Mohsin Al Hashimi before sending the ball into the empty net. This early goal made the players of both squads to double their efforts demonstrating a strong and balanced performance. Bani Yas’s Senegalese front liner Andre Sangahoor’s powerful header was blocked by Al Jazira’s keeper Ahmad Al Shabebi two minutes later. But Yousuf Jaber leveled the scores in the 22nd minute when he sent the ball over the advancing goalkeeper.

The two sides created a bagful of chances before the breather and it was Al Jazira who sent his team’s fans into joy when Ricardo Oliveira scored the first half second goal with a perfect header five minutes before half time.

Bani Yas pressed hard in the second session looking for the equalizer and they came close to make it in many occasions. Al Jazira also made some good efforts but could not add more goals. The visitors succeeded after a number of attempts to bring the game into parity when Sengahoor scored the second goal three minutes into stoppage time.

On the other hand Al Wahda assured their qualification to the semifinals after beating Al Shaab 2-1 in the game played at Khalid bin Mohammed Stadium in Sharjah. Al Wahda are on top of Group “A” with 16 points while Al Shaab are out of contention with only two points that classify them at the bottom of the ladder. Mohammed Al Shehhy and Brazilian Sengahoor scored Al Wahda’s first half two goals in the 10th and 41st minutes while the French striker Michael netted Al Shaab’ lone goal in the 60th minute.