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Al Jazira beat Al Wasl with a solitary goal to stay on top of the standings
Al Jazira continued their leadership of the Etisalat Pro-League, 2011/2012 with 10 points following their win over hosts Al Wasl by a solitary goal in the fourth round match played tonight at Zabeel Stadium while Al Wasl remain in their previous balance with 7 points. Argentinean Delgado scored the all-important goal of the match.
Al Wasl's movements through Rashid Essa, Argentinean Donda as well as Oliveira and Essa Ali were a real threat to Al Jazira who tried to score via their dangerous quadrant Diaky, Delgado, Oliveira and Bary but nothing was changed. Al Jazira made an attempt in the 40th minute through Bare, Oliveira and Delgado after a number of successful passes but Al Wasl's defense stood solid on their way. Subait Khatir of Al Jazira tested his luck with a free kick but his shot flew over the cross bar in the 41st minute to end the first session with a goalless draw.
Al Jazira put more pressure on Al Wasl's goal off two attempts from Diaky but goalkeeper Majid Nasir saved brilliantly in the 47th minute.
Delgado scored the first and lone goal of the match after launching a volley in the 54th minute from outside the box that hit the upright and went into the left hand side of the keeper. Darweesh Ahmed of Al Wasl replied with a strong shot that saved by the custodian Khalid Essa. Al Wasl started to control the game showing better standard. Delgado tried to score again after receiving a perfect pass from Subait in the 61st minute but he shot wide.
Maradona made his first substitution bringing in Edson Bosh and Richard Porta to replace Saoud Saeed in the 65th minute and Rashid Essa in the 72nd minute respectively to activate the offensive line.
Al Jazira's custodian Khalid Essa saved Donda's attempt who hooked the ball in the 77th minute for Khalid to divert the ball to a corner. Vercauteren Al Jazira's coach pulled out Delgado to field in Abdul Salam Juma'a. Khalid came again to make another save when Uruguayan Oliveira headed the ball from a close-range, but it rebounded from the keeper and returned to the same player and his shot touched a player and then the cross bar for a corner in the 80th minute. The hosts continued their pressure in the five-minute injury time but failed to level the score.