Struggling Emirates raised their game in the nick of time last night to beat Al Nasr at home and stave off relegation.
The Ras Al Khaimah side had to beat mid-table Nasr to stay in the Arabian Gulf League next season, and a strike in the 65th minute from Argentine forward Sebastian Sacha did exactly that.
After enduring a frustrating first half, Emirates broke the deadlock when Sacha scored after being first to the rebound after Nasr goalkeeper Ahmed Shambih had parried a shot.
But they had their own keeper Ahmed Alshaji to thank for the numerous saves he made throughout the game, especially early in the second half.
“Tonight I felt like we were winning the league for Ras Al Khaimah,” Emirates manager Ivan Hasek said.
“My players deserved all praise as they fought hard for this result. Emirates Club has limited resources, but they deserve to remain in the AGL because of their commitment and work to be in the top flight.”
__________________________________
■ Read more: Champions Al Jazira go out on a winning note
__________________________________
Forward Mourad Batna was playing his last game for Emirates before he moves to Al Wahda ahead of the 2017/18 season.
“This win meant everything for us and I’m also glad that I could play a part for my team,” the Moroccan said.
“It was a pressure game for us because we had to win to avoid relegation. It was not only winning this game but we had to depend on two other results, and it all panned out in favour of us on the final day of the league.”
Indeed Emirates, who finished on 20 points for the season, also benefited from Kalba's 2-1 loss to Al Ain.
For Kalba, a draw would have been enough to stay up – having a superior goal difference over Dibba.
As it turns out, Kalba (19) lost and were relegated along with basement side Baniyas (15), who were beaten 2-1 by Al Ahli, while Dibba stayed up after drawing 2-2 at home against Sharjah to finish on 20 points.
Ahli's win was not good enough to finish second in the league, behind Al Jazira, as Al Wasl beat Hatta 1-0.
The Dubai side, though, managed to finish one point ahead of fourth-placed Al Ain. Al Wahda, Jazira's Abu Dhabi rivals, placed fifth after a 1-1 draw against Al Shabab.
apassela@thenational.ae
Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE
Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNationalSport
DUBAI%20BLING%3A%20EPISODE%201
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENetflix%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKris%20Fade%2C%20Ebraheem%20Al%20Samadi%2C%20Zeina%20Khoury%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
How to join and use Abu Dhabi’s public libraries
• There are six libraries in Abu Dhabi emirate run by the Department of Culture and Tourism, including one in Al Ain and Al Dhafra.
• Libraries are free to visit and visitors can consult books, use online resources and study there. Most are open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, closed on Fridays and have variable hours on Saturdays, except for Qasr Al Watan which is open from 10am to 8pm every day.
• In order to borrow books, visitors must join the service by providing a passport photograph, Emirates ID and a refundable deposit of Dh400. Members can borrow five books for three weeks, all of which are renewable up to two times online.
• If users do not wish to pay the fee, they can still use the library’s electronic resources for free by simply registering on the website. Once registered, a username and password is provided, allowing remote access.
• For more information visit the library network's website.
if you go
The flights
Fly to Rome with Etihad (www.etihad.ae) or Emirates (www.emirates.com) from Dh2,480 return including taxes. The flight takes six hours. Fly from Rome to Trapani with Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) from Dh420 return including taxes. The flight takes one hour 10 minutes.
The hotels
The author recommends the following hotels for this itinerary. In Trapani, Ai Lumi (www.ailumi.it); in Marsala, Viacolvento (www.viacolventomarsala.it); and in Marsala Del Vallo, the Meliaresort Dimore Storiche (www.meliaresort.it).
SPECS
Engine: 4-litre V8 twin-turbo
Power: 630hp
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: 8-speed Tiptronic automatic
Price: From Dh599,000
On sale: Now
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
Info
What: 11th edition of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship
When: December 27-29, 2018
Confirmed: men: Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Kevin Anderson, Dominic Thiem, Hyeon Chung, Karen Khachanov; women: Venus Williams
Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ae, Virgin megastores or call 800 86 823
SPECS
%3Cp%3EEngine%3A%20Supercharged%203.5-litre%20V6%0D%3Cbr%3EPower%3A%20400hp%0D%3Cbr%3ETorque%3A%20430Nm%0D%3Cbr%3EOn%20sale%3A%20Now%0D%3Cbr%3EPrice%3A%20From%20Dh450%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
AGL AWARDS
Golden Ball - best Emirati player: Khalfan Mubarak (Al Jazira)
Golden Ball - best foreign player: Igor Coronado (Sharjah)
Golden Glove - best goalkeeper: Adel Al Hosani (Sharjah)
Best Coach - the leader: Abdulaziz Al Anbari (Sharjah)
Fans' Player of the Year: Driss Fetouhi (Dibba)
Golden Boy - best young player: Ali Saleh (Al Wasl)
Best Fans of the Year: Sharjah
Goal of the Year: Michael Ortega (Baniyas)
