Arabian Gulf League: Al Wahda go third with win over Al Wasl and Henrique Luvannor helps Al Shabab past Emirates

Al Shabab cruised to a 3-1 home win over Emirates in Round 24 of the Arabian Gulf League, thanks to a double from Henrique Luvannor and a headed Rashid Hassan goal, with all scoring taking place in the second half.

The result moves Al Shabab on to 36 points, while Emirates remain on 26 but could have their safety in the top flight confirmed if Fujairah lost at Al Jazira on Sunday.

With little by way of attacking chances in the first half, Emirates again came closest to a threat in stoppage time as Waleed Ambar fired the ball across the face of goal from the byline but there was noone there to tap home.

The match soon came to life after the break. A move started and finished by Luvannor saw the Moldovan striker set Hassan away down the left.

The winger returned the favour with a perfect cross for Luvannor to score with an overhead bicycle kick.

By the 55th minute, Shabab had doubled their lead as a pass from midfield by Carlos Villanueva put winger Hassan through to loop a header over the onrushing Ali Saqr.

Emirates pulled a goal back in the 71st minute after some shambolic defending by Al Shabab was punished by Brett Holman. The Australian midfielder intercepted a failed back-pass from Essa Mohammed and finished well.

But, in the 82nd minute, Luvannor put Al Shabab 3-1 ahead with a bullet header from Carlos Villanueva’s curling set piece delivery.

In the later match, Al Wahda moved up to third place in the table with a convincing 3-0 win over Al Wasl.

Hamdan Al Kamali struck early on, before Sebastian Tagliabue and Jorge Valdivia put some gloss on the scoreline.

The Abu Dhabi club will be hoping league leaders Al Ahli can help them in their pursuit of third place today as they take on Al Nasr, who are two points behind Wahda.

Dibba can overtake Al Dhafra with a win at Fujairah Stadium, while Baniyas will want to get back to winning ways, following their 5-2 loss at Al Nasr, when they take on Sharjah.

* Agencies

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