Sharjah rally to rout Al Jazira
Sharjah.....5 Al Jazira.....2
By Amith Passela
Al Jazira squandered a 2-0 half-time lead to
surprisingly lose 2-5 against Sharjah in the away match. The result keeps
them in third behind Al Ain and Al Wahda in the three-way tie for the league
crown. James Debbah scored twice for the Abu Dhabi side to keep their hopes
of earning full points and regain the league lead very much alive.
George Weah back heeled for a beautiful opening goal for the visitors in the
33rd minute and the Liberian international struck again 11 minutes later for
a sound lead midway of the crucial game. Debbah was unlucky with his third
when it came off the upright in the 67th minute after Saeed Al Kas had
pulled one back 10 minutes into the second half.
Sharjah's Moroccan international Osman Al Assas equalised with the first of
his three goals in the 69th minute. Kas put the home side in front with a
header straight from a corner in the 84th minute before Assas rounded off
with a couple of goals within three minutes for a great comeback triumph and
keep the team in fifth spot.
Sharjah's UAE international Kas opened the floodgates with a splendid header
from a long right cross on the far side of the posts. His team was a bit
unfortunate when another shot at the goal off a rebound hit the upright
three minutes later.
Al Jazira's defence seemed in tatters, as the Sharjah lads broke through
almost at will to test the visitor's goal in the second half. Kas was
unmarked for the long ball and Assas scored the first of his three goals
when Abdul Aziz Al Anbari's close range shot came off kepper Saeed Juma for
the Moroccan to slam home the equaliser. Al Ain were held to a 0-0 draw by
visitors Al Ahli at Al Qattara Stadium and Al Shabab's Brazilian pro Nelson
scored the solitary goal to beat Al Wahda at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
Waleed Obaid created space for the Brazilian to strike the winner in the
69th minute.
Al Ain lead the league table with 37 points and also has a postponed match
in hand against Al Ittihad. Victory here would give them a healthy five
points lead with three league encounters left. Al Wahda (35) is two points
behind in second with Al Jazira (34) in third ahead Al Shaab (30), Sharjah
(29) and Al Ahli (27) who are involved in a battle for the fourth spot and a
berth in the super league.
Today, Al Nasr take on Al Shaab, Bani Yas will be at home to Al Wasl and Al
Khaleej clash with Al Ittihad, all starting at 6pm.
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