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Al Wahda replace Bani Yas on top of the league standings

Abu Dhabi – based Al Wahda football team jumped from sixth position to replace Bani Yas on top of the Etisalat Pro League after defeating them with two straight goals scored by Essa Santo and Papa Waigo in the last match of the sixth round held tonight at Al Nahyan Stadium in Al Wahda Club in Abu Dhabi. The winners raised their balance to 12 points to lead the competition provisionally on head – to – head win in today’s game while Bani Yas remain with their 12 points record in the second place. Both teams have to wait till the end of tomorrow’s encounters to see the final ranking on the table.


The match was marred by fast and enthusiastic performance between the two sides and was marked by strength, excitement and parity display, and both of them tried to score an early goal through the chances that came their way in the opening minutes, but the defenders and goalkeepers Adil Al Hosani and Mohammed Ali Gholoom stood solid on their way and spoiled all their attempts. But Pap Waigo came close to open the scoring had not the keeper Gholoom was just in the right position to deny him a lovely chance only five minutes into play. The two sides went on their attempts but failed to find the back of the net.
After the first quarter-hour, the hosts seemed the most dangerous side after making many attempts, but their attackers squandered a golden opportunity when they failed to capitalize on the ball that crossed from the left flank and passed in front of Bani Yas goal to the opposite side without being touched by any player in the 24th minute. But only six minutes later the Al Wahda advancing defender Essa Santo succeeded in heading the ball home that switched by his colleague Srdan Andric in front of Bani Yas goal mouth to jump above all and send a powerful header that beat keeper Mohammed Ali Gholoom. Saeed Al Kathiri was almost to add the second goal in the 37th minute but his effort missed the target and passed just near the post. Bani Yas Senegalese striker Sengahor missed two successive chances in the stoppage time when his first attempt passed just near the post and the second was deflected by the goalkeeper Adil Al Hosani to a corner to end the first session with a lone goal lead for the home team.


Al Wahda professional player Srdan Andric was injured in the beginning of the second half but came on to continue after given medical treatment. Bani Yas coach fielded on Mohammed Zidane in the 57th minute, but the unmarked Papa Waigo added the second goal one minute later making it 2-0.


Bani Yas continued their attempts trying to reduce the deficit but their player Nick Carle missed a lovely opportunity in the 62nd minute and his colleague Yousuf Jaber’s severe volley hit the cross bar three minutes later. Their situation became more critical when their striker Sengahor was shown the red card as a result of a rough play with Al Wahda goalie Adil Al Hosani in the 73rd minute. The two teams failed to add more goals in the last minutes to end the game with a 2-0 victory for Al Wahda.