Al Wasl rout Emirates; Hatta hold Al Nasr

Al Wasl cruised to a comfortable 4-0 victory over Emirates at Emirates Club Stadium in Ras Al Khaimah in Group B of the Arabian Gulf Cup, Arabian Gulf League website reported.

The hosts took the lead after 13 minutes when Fabio de Lima dribbled past his marker on the right wing and delivered a cross on the far post for fellow Brazilian Caio Canedo to head home the opener.

After the break, The Cheetahs came out of the block racing and Fabio de Lima, captaining Al Wasl on the evening, went on a jinking run from the start before exchanging passes with Ronaldo Mendes and finishing past Ahmed Al Shaji to double Al Wasl's lead.

Lima turned from scorer to provider as he supplied a perfectly weighted through ball for Caio who rounded the goalkeeper and slotted home his second of the night and Al Wasl's third in the 64th minute.

Ronaldo Mendes rounded off the scoring six minutes from time after Australian midfielder Anthony Caceres advanced into the penalty area and found Mendes who finished with his left to make it 4-0.

The victory takes Al Wasl up to six points from two wins to top group B, while Emirates freeze at three points behind them in the table.

Meanwhile at the Hamdan bin Rashid Stadium, Hatta and Al Nasr played out a goalless draw. Both sides remained unbeaten in Group A.

The hosts had an early chance to take the lead when they were awarded a penalty kick inside the first five minutes but Brazilian striker Samual Rosa wasted the opportunity as he saw his attempt from the spot saved by Al Nasr goalkeeper Mohamed Yousif.

The visitors suffered an early blow when Jassim Yaqoob was sent-off after 15 minutes for a late tackle.

After the break, The Blues boss Cesare Prandelli introduced new signing Mauro Zarate for his debut, replacing Salem Saleh and the Argentinian showed his abilities instantly, revitalising Al Nasr's attack and forcing Hatta goalkeeper Obaid Thani into multiple saves throughout the second half.

Ultimately, neither side was able to find the back of the net as they settled for a point each.

The point takes Al Nasr's tally up to four points. With no teams capable of exceeding four points after matchweek 2, The Blues are set to remain in contention for the top spot.

Hatta, meanwhile, add a second point to their name as they look to compete for one of the four spots qualifying to the quarter-finals.

Source: Khaleej Times