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Dubai forces Al Ain to a 1-1 draw, Al Wasl and Al Jazira share points

Dubai have collected their 2nd point in the Etisalat Cup after forcing the host team Al Ain to a 1-1 draw in the '2nd round' match played on Thursday October 4th at Tahnon Bin Mohammad Stadium-Qattara. The hosts are leading group "A" with 4 points provisionally before today's game between Al Wahda and Bani Yas of the same group.

Both teams demonstrated a poor display and failed to benefit of the few chances that came their way. Shihab Ahmad came close to put the home team into the lead but his severe shot, which came off a stand ball, was deflected by the visitors' custodian Jamal Abdullah to a corner in the 26th minute. The most dangerous opportunity in the first session was squandered by Abu Baca Camara of Dubai when his header bounced off the upright six minutes before the break.

The visiting team took the lead only three minutes into the 2nd half when Michael Laurent  received a long pass, rounded up defender Faris Juma'a before facing goalkeeper Dawoud Sulaiman to slam  the ball home. This goal inspired the players of both teams to better their performance and play with more concentration, but Dubai played defensively giving their competitors a good opportunity to put more pressure on them.

Al Ain players created a number of chances and their efforts were soon rewarded when the Argentinean player Sand leveled the game with a perfect header in the 60th minute. Sand was to make it 2-1with a lovely header but Dubai defender Mohammed Jamal succeeded to clear the ball off the line of the empty goal ten minutes later.

The two coaches made some substitutes in the last 20 minutes but the players failed to score more goals.

In the 2nd match of the day Al Shabab were held to a goalless draw by Kalba in the match played at the formers' pitch. Al Shabab have raised their tally to four points whereas their rivals have added their second point in group "B".

Al Wasl and Al Jazira concluded the matches of the 1st day of the 2nd round with a 2-2 draw. The visitors Al Jazira collected their 1st point in this competition and Al Wasl maintained their 2nd successive draw. Essa Ali netted the 1st goal of the match to help his side Al Wasl take an early lead only three minutes into the game. But Ali Mabkhout of Al Jazira received a perfect pass to find himself clear with the goalkeeper Majid Nasir, he rounded him up before sending the ball into the empty net to level the score in the 12th minute. Yasir Mattar came close to add the second but his volley was saved by Al Wasl's goalkeeper four minutes later. The two teams played a balanced game, created a number of chances but could not score.

Both squads continued their attempts in the 2nd half and tried their best to net the winner but they failed till the 72nd minute when Ahmad Juma'a made it 2-1 giving Al Jazira the lead.

The home team worked hard and their efforts yielded the 2nd goal through Ahmad Juma'a in the 74th minute. Both teams made some good attempts in the last minutes but the strong defenders spoiled all their efforts. Al Jazira played the extra time with 10 players after Sultan Ramadan was shown the red card.