Al Wahda’s hopes of keeping alive their fading Adnoc Pro League title campaign suffered a significant blow on Friday after a 2-1 defeat to Sharjah at Al Nahyan Stadium.
Adrien Silva gave Wahda the lead on 23 minutes but Sharjah’s Congolese forward Ben Malango levelled on 38 minutes and was on target again before half time. Malango's brace proved enough to secure the three points and keep Sharjah in the hunt for a top three finish and entry into next year's Asian Champions League.
Wahda, in second, third-placed Al Jazira, and Sharjah are only separated by goal difference with four games of the season remaining. Runaway leaders Al Ain can extend their advantage to 10 points with a win at 12th-placed Al Dhafra on Saturday.
Jazira moved level with Wahda and Sharjah with a comfortable 3-0 win over Ajman at the Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium.
UAE striker Ali Mabkhout found the net twice after Abdoulay Diaby had put Jazira in front on 17 minutes.
Mabkhout and Diaby exchanged with the latter dispatching a low finish past the keeper Ali Al Hosani.
The UAE international doubled his side's lead on 37 minute with a clinical finish when Abdulla Ramadan chipped a ball over Ajman's defence into the penalty area.
Makhbout grabbed his brace on 72 minutes when he met Mohammed Jamal's through pass with a smart finish into the back of the net.
If you go
The flights Etihad (www.etihad.com) and Spice Jet (www.spicejet.com) fly direct from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Pune respectively from Dh1,000 return including taxes. Pune airport is 90 minutes away by road.
The hotels A stay at Atmantan Wellness Resort (www.atmantan.com) costs from Rs24,000 (Dh1,235) per night, including taxes, consultations, meals and a treatment package.
If you go...
Etihad flies daily from Abu Dhabi to Zurich, with fares starting from Dh2,807 return. Frequent high speed trains between Zurich and Vienna make stops at St. Anton.
The specs
Engine: 5.2-litre V10
Power: 640hp at 8,000rpm
Torque: 565Nm at 6,500rpm
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto
Price: From Dh1 million
On sale: Q3 or Q4 2022
SERIES INFO
Schedule:
All matches at the Harare Sports Club
1st ODI, Wed Apr 10
2nd ODI, Fri Apr 12
3rd ODI, Sun Apr 14
4th ODI, Sun Apr 16
UAE squad
Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Chirag Suri, Mohammed Boota, Ghulam Shabber, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
Zimbabwe squad
Peter Moor (captain), Solomon Mire, Brian Chari, Regis Chakabva, Sean Williams, Timycen Maruma, Sikandar Raza, Donald Tiripano, Kyle Jarvis, Tendai Chatara, Chris Mpofu, Craig Ervine, Brandon Mavuta, Ainsley Ndlovu, Tony Munyonga, Elton Chigumbura
Springtime in a Broken Mirror,
Mario Benedetti, Penguin Modern Classics
