UAE: Al Ain move clear as rivals slump

While Al Ain could only manage a goalless draw with Al Ahli, they still enjoyed a better evening than either second-placed Al Wahda or third-placed Al Jazira. Defending league champions Al Wahda slumped to a 0-1 home defeat at the hands of relegation-threatened Al Shabab, while Al Jazira were crushed 2-5 by mid-table Sharjah.

Al Ain have the stingiest defence in the league, conceding only 19 goals in 18 matches this season. With Juma Khater keeping a close eye on Al Ahli striker Ali Karimi on Thursday, they successfully shut down their opponents in a game of few clear-cut chances.

Karimi's best opportunity of the first half came in the 31st minute when Karimi's powerful header off a corner by Jasim Akbar was stopped by Al Ain goalie Walid Salim. Karimi had another opportunity after the break but shot over the crossbar while Walid Salim also kept out an attempt by Ahmed Shah.

With a two-point lead and a game in hand against strugglers Al Ittihad, Al Ain look to be in a strong position to regain the league title from Al Wahda with just three rounds of matches left in the season.

Al Wahda were expected to score an easy win against second-from-bottom Al Shabab, but it proved to be a tougher battle than expected with a number of their key players including captain Abdullah Salim and goalkeeper Abdul Basit Mohammed sidelined by injury.

Despite missing those players, the home side enjoyed the balance of play with leading scorer Mohammed Salim Al Enazy failing to capitalize on a number of chances. Al Wahda were to rue those missed opportunities in the 68th minute as Al Shabab playmaker Waleed Obaid sent Brazilian striker Nelson clear to lob the ball over the head of advancing Al Wahda goalkeeper Hussain Ali.

Meanwhile, Al Jazira's hopes of a first-ever league title suffered a huge blow with their 5-2 thrashing at Sharjah. Osman Assas scored a hat-trick while Saeed Al Kass scored two as the home team put the sword to the Abu Dhabi side. Liberian striker James Debbah scored two in reply for Al Jazira, who are now three points behind Al Ain.