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Dubai: Al Dhafra succeeded in holding Al Shabab to a 1-1 draw at their stadium in Abu Dhabi. Al Shabab continue to lose points, dropping six in the last three matches from three draws against Al Wahda, Al Shaab and yesterday Al Dhafra.
Al Shabab have 35 points and could lose the top place if Al Jazira beat city rivals Al Wahda in today's clash in Abu Dhabi. Al Jazira have 32 points and a better goal difference.
Al Dhafra, promoted from the second division last season, showed excellent performances and are now sailing in safe waters far away from the relegation zone with 22 points in ninth place.
In the second match played yesterday, Al Nasr beat bottom placed Hatta 3-0 at Al Maktoum stadium. Al Nasr jumped to eighth place with 25 points and Hatta stayed at the bottom with 13 points.
Mohammad Ebrahim, Al Nasr's talented midfielder, scored the first goal in the 29th minute with a blast into the roof of the net.
Ahmada Hasan of Hatta was unlucky to see his powerful shot hit the cross bar. Al Nasr dominated in the second half. Hatta tried hard through Ahmada and Brazilian Gery, but their attempts were thwarted by the Al Nasr defence.
Fine work
Nigerian Goodwin scored the second for Al Nasr in the 64th minute and youngster Younis Ahmad hit the third in injury time to seal the first victory for Al Nasr in six matches.
Al Shabab, who will be looking to win the league title, squandered several scoring chances in the first half through Jawad Qazimian and Eisa Obaid, which cost them dear at the end of the match.
Al Dhafra's defence led by Moroccan Amin Rabatty, Jasim Akbar and Juma Khater, stood firm to halt the Al Shabab attacks in the second half.
Edreeso scored for Al Dhafra in the 65th minute following fine work by Mohammad Salim at the right flank. He crossed to Edreeso who fired in a cracker with Esmail Rabea standing helpless.
Al Shabab's coach Cerezo attacked with four strikers: Mohammad Naser, Salim Sa'ad and Surour Salim in the second half in addition to Qazimian.
They pressed against the Al Dhafra defence until they levelled with a free kick taken by Eman Mob'ali in the 77th minute, the ball hit the head of one of the Al Dhafra defenders in the wall and went in, to the joy of the Al Shabab supporters.
Al Dhafra played with ten men after referee Ali Hamad issued marching orders to defender Mohammad Salim for rough play.
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